
Book i - -,— 
Gop^TiiilitN" 

COPlWCHT DEPOSIT. 



TROUD OLD NATCHEZ 



HISTORY AND ROMANCE 



COMPILED FROM ANCIENT CHRONICLES 
AND MODERN HISTORIES 



BY 

THOS. REBER 

NATCHEZ, MISS. 

1909 



^^ 



.^^ 



COPYRIGHT 1909 
By THOS. REBER 



NATCHEZ. MISS. 
NATCHEZ PRINTING & STATIONERY CO. 
1909. 



24 88 65 



<3^ 



flntro^uctori?. 



The object of these sketches is to embody some interesting 
information which has been obtained of the history of Natchez, 
and presented in a convenient and available form as a souvenir 
of the visit of our President, William H. Taft and the distingu- 
ished body of gentlemen who accompany him on a visit to the 
city Friday, October 29, 1909. 

This visit, all too brief, marks a happy event for this his- 
toric city, peopled by wholesouled generous-hearted and pa- 
triotic citizens, and it will tend greatly to consolidate those 
friendly relations which we forever desire should exist between 
the various sections of the Union. 

A mere recital of historical events and incidents of the 
growth of the city and section, is calculated to border too 
closely upon the prosaic, hence the introduction of a few anec- 
dotes about some of the citizens of long ago. 

The author acknowledges his indebtedness for valuable in- 
formation to the works of Claiborne and Monette, and to the 
State Archivist, Dr. Dunbar Rowland, whose letter paying tri- 
bute to Natchez is herewith appended: 

"Jackson, Miss., September 25, 1909. 
"MR. THOMAS REBER — 

"Natchez, Miss. — 
"My Dear Sir — 

"I am in receipt of your favor of recent date, and in reply wish 
to assure you that you are at liberty to use anything concerning Nat- 
chez which you may find in the Encyclopedia of Mississippi History. 

"Proud old Natchez enjoys an historic prestige second to no place 
in the lower South, and any recital of her history places Mississippi 
in a favorable light in the eyes of the world. 

"Very sincerely yours, 

"DUNBAR ROWLAND." 

In speeding the parting guests, may you go freighted and 
laden with happy memories of the entire Southland, which has 
been so fortunate as to bid you welcome, whose people bid you 
a fond farewell, and assure you that you carry with you their 
hearts, filled with best wishes for your future prosperity and 

happiness. 

THOS. REBER. 




PRESIDENT WM II. lAFT. 



CHAPTER I. 



prou& ©ID Batcbes. 

Beautiful Natchez, so stately and old. 
With thy moss-covered trees and thy castles bold, 
Thy baronial halls, hidden away in the leaves. 
That tremble and sway in the soft Southern breeze. 

— ELLWOOD GUNN. 

Natchez with a brilliant and stormy, but heroic past, the 
scene of battle, murder and intrigue, sits proudly on a high 
bluff overlooking for miles, the great river. 

It was selected by the early settlers from its commanding 
position. Old Natchez, the home of refinement and princely 
hospitality; the stately mansions of the lordly masters, how 
grand they look! 

Massive, graceful and enduring, surrounded by broad 
acres, embellished with wide, sweeping lawns, drives, gardens 
and noble shade trees, their owners magnificent in everything, 
big-hearted, broad, liberal and brave. 

Situated in the heart of the richest agricultural district in 
the world based on a stratum of marl, therefore, inexhaustible 
elevated, healthy and picturesque, no city in the State can 
claim such a wealth of historic associations and traditions as the 
famous old City of Natchez. 

In 1700 Iberville Bienneville and Tonti arrived at the In- 
dian village, and it was determined to post a garrison and lay 
out a town which should be called: "La Villa de Rosalie aux 
Natchez." 

In 1716 Iberville caused to be erected Fort Rosalie. For 
183 years Natchez has exerted a powerful influence in shaping 
the destinies of the State. 



"PROUD OLD NATCHEZ 



It was an important port of Entry, and when "Natchez 
Indfr-the-IIill." was in its prime it was the commercial depot 
of the State, and its wharfs were crowded with all manner of 
craft, and a motley collection of sailors and boatmen. All man- 
ner of vice was rampant. One rather serious affair, involving 
robbery induced a steamboat Captain to put a rope around a 
house full of Gamblers and pull it and its inmates into the 
river. 

On one occasion it is reported, that all the Gamblers lurk- 
ing in and about the city were captured and set adrift in a con- 
demned barge to take a chance on the Father of Waters. 

Natchez in 1822 was a bustling place. The streets lined 
with carriages, drays and wagons. The rush .to the river in- 
cessant. Every hour was heard the roar of cannon, annaauic- 
ing the arrival or departure (jf steamers. 

Hundrt'ds of Arks or Flatboats loaded with produce of the 
Western States, even from the interior of Pennsylvania, lined 
the landing for half a mile, often lying five tiers deep. 

Under-the-Hill, vice and infamy was rampant and glaring 
and the law almost powerless. Day and night the orgies of 
blackguardism and depravity were enacted without shame or 
restraint. The Sabbath was the particular day of profanation 
and debauchery. The Gambler, the bully, reigned triumphant 
and little jurisdiction was taken over their atrocities. 

The planters lived profusely, drank Port, Madiera and 
Sherry after English fashion, and were exceedingly hospita- 
ble. Your coffee in the morning before sunrise, little stews at 
night, and warm foot baths if you have a cold, bouquets of 
fresh flowers and mint juleps sent to your apartment, a horse 
and saddle at your disposal, everything free and easy and 
cheerful and cordial. 

Clothing was usually nutde fo order in i*hiladelphia, of the 
most expensive material and fasiiionahle cut. 

The beaux usually patroni/.rd Watson and his average 
charge was $100.00 a suit. 



"PROUD OLD NATCHEZ" 



There were few mechanics except carpenters and gin- 
wrights. There was not a shoemaker in Natchez. Shoes came 
from the North, boots from Paris and cost from $10.00 to 
$14.00. Extravagance and expense became familiar.- 

At the Natchez theatre in the winter of 1828, the elder 
Booth and his company played for nine nights, he was followed 
by Forest. 

In 1837- '38, Natchez loaded on ships for Liverpool 38,000 
bales of cotton, and 8,500 for Boston. A steamship was built 
at Brooklyn, and named "Natchez." On its arrival at Natchez, 
it was greeted with great enthusiasm. It was expected to be- 
come a seaport by the aid of steam vessels ascending the cur- 
rent of the river. 

Flatboatmen — The old flatboatmen were a type of hardy, 
vicious manhood. One of them who was often at the Natchez 
landing was Mike Fink, who thus described himself: 

"I can out-run, out-hop, out-jump, throw-down, drag-out 
and lick any man in the country. I am a salt-river roarer; I 
love wimming and I'm chuck full of fight." 

He was a typical leader of his class, and they have disap- 
peared. 

The best whiskey brought to Natchez during flatboat days, 
was brought twice a year in a flatboat, by the Rev. Moses 
Trader, of Ohio, an eminent Methodist, who did a large busi- 
ness in this line for a series of years, and preached at Nat- 
chez and Washington with great fervor and unction. He was 
an excellent man, though he enjoyed his toddy and his night- 
cap, always saying that he was not afraid of his own whiskey, 
but ' ' a little skeery of others. ' ' 

For many crimes the privilege of sanctuary was allowed. 
A man named McCoy in his recitals of early life in Natchez, 
said : " I have often passed the Church early in the morning and 
found a Spaniard with his finger in the key-hole of the 
Church." 



PROUD OLD NATCHEZ" 



CHAPTER II. 



"Ratcbes UnDtans. 

"They inhabited a beautiful country, and were the only tribi- that 
seemed to have an established worship. They had a Temple tilled 
with idols. 

'This Temple resembled an earthen oven, and was one- hundred 
feet in circumference. There were no windows, only one small door. 
Above and on the outside of the roof were three wooden eagles, paint- 
ed red, yellow and white. In front of the door was a shed where the 
guardian kept watch. All around was a circle of pointed pickets, cap- 
ped with the skulls of their enemies, who had fallen in battle. 

"The interior was lined with shelves on which were baskets hold- 
ing the bones of their most renowned chiefs, while beneath these were 
piled the bones of their favorite followers, who had been strangled, to 
attend their Master's in the Spirit world. 

"In the Temple they kept a small, but perpetual fire, made of 
bark, provided by the patriarcho of the tribe. 

•'The Sun was their deity, their great Chief was called the same 
name, and he in turn called the Sun brother. 

"Every morning at dawn, attended by his retinue, the Chief as- 
cended a mound to converse with his celestial brother. As soon as the 
Sun appeared in the heavens, the Chief saluted with a long howl, and 
then waved his hand from East to West, and directed the course he 
should traverse." (Father La Petit.) 

Chopart, the French Coniiiuindaiit determined to seize the 
village of the Natchez to ct)nvert it into a plantation, and men- 
aced them with vengeance, unless they removed by a certain 
day, and Chief White Apple replied: 

"Our Corn is in the Milk, at that time, and not fit for har- 
vesting, and supplicated for more time, but he was refused, and 
determined on revenge," 

Stel-o-na, the beautiful daughter of White Apple. Chief of 
the Natchez Indians, loved the Sieur de Mace, a Lieutenant of 



PROUD OLD NATCHEZ" 



the French. Only the Great Chiefs and Princesses of the 
blood had the privilege of entering the Temples, dedicated to 
the Sun God. The Natchez tribe had united with the Choctaws 
to attack the whites, twenty days were to transpire before the 
tribes were to make a simultaneous attack. 

That no mistake might be made a quiver of twenty arrows 
was sent to each tribe. One was to be withdrawn and broken 
every morning. 

At daybreak on the morning when the last of the twenty 
arrows should be broken, the tribes would commence the at- 
tack and equally share the spoils. 

The quiver of the Natchez were deposited in the Temple of 
the sun, and it was the duty of the guardian to withdraw an 
arrow every morning and consume it in the sacred fire. The 
Princess then entering the Temple clandestinely abstracted two 
arrows from the quiver. This precipitated the attack before 
the Choctaws, who were on the march, could arrive at the point 
of rendezvous. 

Sel-o-na conducted her lover to a secret place, guarded by 
good spirits, where the water was always sweet, through the 
cane hills, and slopes timbered with Magnolia, Walnut and 
Mulberry, to White Apple village, the home of the Chief, her 
father. There, in hiding, they remained until the soldiers came 
from New Orleans. 



10 "PROUD OLD NATCHEZ" 



CHAPTER III. 



Xlbe Jfort IRosalie /Cassacre. 

The French, aided by the Indians, eomph'ted Fort Rosalie, 
An}?nst ;'), 1716, and on the 25th, about thirty Yasous and six 
hundred Natchez, without arms, came to dance the "Calumet." 

The fort was placed on a hill, on an eminence, some 670 
yards from the river, overlooking a beautiful country of hill? 
and dales. It was an irregular pentagon without bastions, but 
built of durable timber. Within the enclosure there was a mag- 
azine, .storehouse and barracks. The whole enveloped by a 
deep ditch and earth work. It was called Fort Rosalie, in 
honor of the wife of the Minister of Marine, the Count de 
Ponehatrain. 

It stood on the ground abf)ut where the Compress is located 
on the hill above the steamboat landing 

Father le Petit in his account of the massacre of the French 
by the Natchez tribe in 1729, says, first the liulians 
divided themselves and sent into the fort, into the 
village and into the two grants as many Indians as 
there were French in both of these places; then they 
f(Mgned that they were going out for a grand hunt and luidcr- 
took to trade with the French for guns, powder and ball, offer- 
ing to pay as much and even more than was customary, and in 
truth as there was no reason to suspect their fidelity, they made 
at that time an exchange of their poultry and corn for some 
arms and ammunition which they used advantageously against 
us. 

They had been on their guard against the Choctaws, but as 
for the .Natchez thcv never distrusted them. 



/ 



PROUD OLD NATCHEZ" 11 



Having thus posted themselves in different houses, provid- 
ed with the arms obtained from us, they attacked at the same 
time each his man, and in less than two hours they massacred 
more than two hmidred of the French. These barbarians spar- 
ed but two of the French, a tailor and a carpenter who were 
able to serve their wants. 

They did not treat badly either the negro slaves or the In- 
dians who were willing to give thmselves up. ***** 
* But killed almost all those who were nursing their chil- 
dren, because they were disturbed by their cries and tears. 
They did not kill the other women but made them their slaves. 

During the massacre the Sun, or the Great Chief of the 
Natchez, was seated quietly under the tobacco shed of the 
company, his warriors brought to his feet the head of the Com- 
mander about which they ranged those of the principal French 
of the post, leaving their bodies a prey to the dogs and buz- 
zards. 

"They murdered nearly two thousand persons, onl.y twen- 
ty-five or twenty-six negroes escaped, and most of them were 
later murdered. One hundred and fifty children, ninety wo- 
men and many negroes were taken prisoners in hopes of selling 
them to the English in Carolina." 

On receipt of the news of this great catastrophe, the Gov- 
ernor General at New Orleans sent a small army to extermi- 
nate the Natchez. They were compelled to cross the Mississippi 
River and surrendered in the year 1731. Their women and chil- 
dren were reduced to slavery and several hundred prisoners 
were sold as slaves and shipped to St. Domingo. This massa- 
cre extended to all the neighboring plantations from the Yazoo 
river to St. Catherine Creek, nearly all their occupants perish- 
ed. 

The period of French settlement at Natchez was practical- 
ly terminated by the great massacre of 1729, as above describ- 
ed. 



12 "PROUD OLD NATCHEZ" 



CHAPTER IV. 



Hnec^otes. 

The Spaniards were afraid of the liuliaiis wlien on a drunk- 
en spree, who, when under the influence of liquor had no fear 
of a gun or knife or other deadly weapon, but had great dread 
of a whip. During an Indian riot in Natchez, which defied the 
strength of the civil authorities and even rendered it necessary 
to call out the troops, an old Frenchman named Baptiste, 
rode in amongst them with his whip and scattered them like 
chaff before the wind. 

An Indian was condemned, according to their retalitory 
laws, to suffer death and the day fixed for his execution. He 
was not confined in the meantime, but suffered to go where he 
pleased, and he used the time in going from house to house and 
begging for whiskey, and inviting everyone to come and sec 
him die. On the appointed day he was promptly at the place ; 
assisted in digging his own grave, which was done with knives 
and hatchets, and from time to time he would lay himself down 
in it, to see if it would fit him, and when it was completed to 
his satisfaction, he took a parting drink with all around, and 
then stood with most stoical indifference at one end of the 
grave and gave the word to the executioner, and in an in- 
stant fell back into the grave with the fatal bullet through his 
lioad. and was at once covered up. This execution took place 
about where the gas house now stands, on Pearl street. 

s 

General Wilkinson, in all pomp and style of a conquering 
hero, arrived at Natchez. Then, in the summer of 1708, for 
the first time was seen an American coach, and it was the ob- 
ject of more curiosity, with its four splendid black horses, 
than even a steamboat was in later years. 



PROUD OLD NATCHEZ" 13 



A man living near Natchez named Mike Hootsel, was noted 
for his many fights and numerous escapes from the Indians. 
He was once captured, and reserved for a sacrifice to grace 
their annual feast of bear's oil. This was a time of great feast- 
ing and rejoicing among the Indians, when after a successful 
hunt, they met to render the oil, and pack it in bladders and 
skins for future use. 

In the dance on these occasions, men, women and children 
joined, Hootsel, who, himself, had Indian blood in his reins, 
and had mingled much with them, knew exactly what their in- 
tentions were in regard to himself. He carefully watched for 
an opportunity to escape, and did not watch in vain, as is fre- 
quently the case. The Indians had not bound their prisoner, 
but had him within the dense circle which they formed around 
the Caldron, in which was hissing and sputtering the boiling 
oil, a portion of which was now and then cast on their prisoner 
to test his fortitude previous to the grand torture. These pre- 
liminary sufferings were inflicted by women and children, who 
danced around and enjoyed the agony of their captive with the 
keenest relish. Watching his opportunity, Hootsel seized a 
child and dashed it into the kettle of boiling oil, scattering it 
in every direction over those who stood nearest the fire. A 
rush was made to save the child, and amid the confusion, Hoot- 
sel escaped. 



14 "PROUD OLD NATCHEZ" 



CHAPTER V. 



Searoant Smttb Prentiss. 

Seargent Smith Piviitiss, born iu l*ortlaud. Maine, Septem- 
ber 30, 1808, died at Natchez, Julj' 1, 1850. His body is buried 
in the old family ground of the Seargents. 

This child of the granite hills of Elaine had the fiery inven- 
tive genius of an Arabian poet, an imagination as fertile in 
original and fantastical creations, as the author of the thousand 
and one nights. 

With his remarkable gift of throwing attractive beauty 
on every subject, with rich and beautiful metaphors, 
sparkling wit and brilliant periods, he sought to illustrate 
some great truth. 

The fame of the man was not narrowed down to the limits 
of a single State or Section of our Country. It extended over 
the Union. It shone with splendor in the Halls of Congress, in 
other States and Cities, wherever he passed he was called upon 
to address the people on the great topics of the day. 

In Faneuil Hall the walls re-eoched the first cry of Liberty 
and Independence. Prentiss appeared and poured forth the 
torrent of gorgeous elocution, his auditors sprang to their feet 
under the influence of his magic power, brilliant thought and 
startling novel figures, his metaphors, thrown up like rockets in 
the evening sky, and bursting as they rose into a thousand 
brilliant points of every imaginable color. 

His conversation resembled the ever-varying clouds that 
cluster around the setting sun of a summer evening, their 
edges fringed with gold. 

This gifted and wonderful man reached Natchez with only 
five dollars in his pocket, and having brought letters to a 



PROUD OLD NATCHEZ" 15 



wealthy merchant of that place he borrowed of him some fif- 
teen dollars to meet certain necessary expenditures. From mo- 
tives of delicacy, he refrained from applying to his employers 
for money until the first quarter salary was due, when he went 
to the city for the express purpose of repaying the loan, and 
returning thanks for the favor. But when he presented him- 
self at the counting room, the old gentleman broke out in a 
harsh reprimand and read him a severe lecture on the import- 
ance of punctuality in such cases, while he opened one record 
book after another, in which stood the name of S. S. Prentiss in 
capitals, with $15.00 charged against it, running the credit 
through all the books in which the charge was made. He left 
the house deeply mortified and retiring to a secluded spot near- 
by, he wept scalding indignant tears. 

It was only a few years after this occurrence, when Mr. 
Prentiss stood at the head of his profession, that the same man 
counted him down a fee of five thousand dollars, tor services 
rendered in a case involving the greater portion of his estate. 

On the 5th of October, 1833, a duel occurred between Mr. 
Prentiss and Henry S. Foote, late Governor of Mississippi., 
They met at sunrise on the Louisiana side of the river opposite 
Vicksburg and fought with pistols at ten steps. The former 
writes a few days later : "I threw up my pistol as I fired not 
intending to hit him at all, but so near had I been to killing 
him, that my ball even as I threw up my pistol hit him on the 
shoulder slightly wounding the flesh." 

When Prentiss was an infant he was attacked by an almost 
fatal illness followed by paralysis, with this exception he was 
physically perfect. The beauty of his face, the vigor of his 
body, enhanced the charm and power of his words. In speak- 
ing he lisped slightlj', but this was not considered a defect. 

Not long after his first duel with Foote, a second took 
place. Bailie Peyton told the story, that in the second duel 
when Prentiss' pistol had snapped and Foote 's bullet had pass- 
ed over his head, the crowd being so dense that there was 
barely room for the passage of the balls. Prentiss called to a 



16 "PROUD OLD NATCHEZ" 



small boy climbing a sapling for a better view: "My son, you 
had better take care; General Foote is shooting rather wild." 
Afterwards, in his last visit to Cincinnati, a would-be friend 
alluded to Foote as "a dog," whereupon Prentiss instantly re- 
torted: "If he is a dog, sir, he is our dog and you shall not 
abuse him in my presence." 

In 1838 he was invited to speak at Faneuil Hall, Boston, 
at a reception to Daniel Webster and several others, and spoke 
late into the night. Everitt wrote : "He took possession of the 
audience from the first sentence and carried them along with 
unabated interest, I think, for about an hour. Sitting by Mr. 
Webster, I asked if he had ever heard anything like it ; he ans- 
wered: "Never except from Mr. Prentiss, himself." 

Of one great effort at the Nashville convention in 1844, to 
which he was invited by five hundred ladies as well as by the 
politicians. Governor Jones wrote: "He enchanted the im- 
mense crowd, estimated by acres, for about two and a half 
hours. The applause was terrific. In the midst of it he was 
taken with stricture of the chest to which he became subject, 
and the cry came up like a storm : ' Sit down and rest ; don 't 
quit, we will wait.' " 

His speech at Natchez in the same campaign is described 
as marvellous. "At times the whole vast assembly were con- 
Yulsed with emotion, some wept, some laughed hysterically, 
some grew pallid with fear." 

After his magnificent speech before the House of Repre- 
sentatives in defense of his seat, which was contested, Mr. 
Webster said that no man but Prentiss, living or dead, could 
have made it. 

When Henry Clay made his celebrated trip to New Or- 
leans, Prentiss delivered the address of welcome, which was so 
brilliant that Mr. Clay declined to speak, saying no one could 
follow Prentiss. Some days later Mr. Clay spoke at New Or- 
leans, when he had finished the audience called for Prentiss, 
who returned the compliment which Mr. Clay had paid him by 



PROUD OLD NATCHEZ" 17 



declining to respond, saying: "When eagles are abroad, bats 
and owls should take to their holes." 

The following are extracts from his address delivered at 
Jackson in memory of Lafayette. 

"Death who knocks with equal hand at the door of the 
cottage and the palace gate, has been busy at his appointed 
work. Mourning prevails throughout the land and the coun- 
tenances all are shrouded in the mantle of regret. Far across 
the wild Atlantic amid the pleasant vineyards, in the sunny 
land of Frence — there, too, is mourning; and the weeds of sor- 
row are alike worn by Prince and Peasant. And against whom 
has the monarch of the tomb turned his remorseless dart, that 
such widespread sorrow should prevail? Hark! And the 
agonized voice of Freedom, weeping for her favorite son, will 
tell you, in strains sadder than those with which she shrieked 
at Kosciusko's fall, that Lafayette, the gallant and the good — 

has ceased to live. 

******** 

"Peace to his ashes! Calm and quiet they rest upon some 
vine-clad hill of his beloved land, and it shall be called the 
Mount Vernon of France. And let no cimning sculpture, no 
monumental marble deface, with its mock dignity, the patriots 
grave, but rather let the unpruned vine, the wild flower that 
speaks of freedom and of peace, be gathered and the free song 
of the uncaged bird, all round it. Lafayette needs no mauso- 
leum. His fame is mingled with a nation 's history, his epitaph 
engraved upon the hearts of men." 



18 "PROUD OLD NATCHEZ" 



CHAPTER VI. 



Bn^rcw 3achson. 

In 1791. Andrew Jackson was a planter, residing near the 
river bank at Bniinshnrg, above Natchez. It is said he there 
received negroes purchased by his partner at Nashville, selling 
them to planters in the neighborhood. This was during the 
Spanish occupation of Natchez. This charge was brought 
against him pending his candidacy for President, but was dis- 
proved by the oath of his partner, but there exist bills of 
sale for negroes sold to Thomas M. Green and Abner Green in 
the handwriting of Jackson, with his signature written in large 
bold characters extending across the sheet. 

On this plantation Jackson constructed a race track for 
quarter races, and he could not be beat for pitting a cock, or 
training a horse. 

About 1790 Colonel Sparks came to Natchez with a party, 
among them was Mrs. Robards, of Nashville. Robards had 
abandoned his wife and applied for a divorce — he had been 
married in Virginia, and the Legislature of that State, by Act 
authorized the Courts of Kentucky to try the case. After a 
delay of fifteen months ^Trs. Robards was granted a divorce 
by the Spanish Government and she and Jackson were mar- 
ried, l)ut Kobards took no action until after the Natchez mar- 
riage, then he obtained a decree in 179:^ and Jackson and his 
wife had another marriage in 1794. i\Irs. Jackson was denied 
the gratification of accompanying President Jackson to the 
AVhite House, but in his heart she lived there, the object of 
most deathless and exalted affection. 

The cruel misrepresentations of her Inishand's political 
opponents crushed her heart. Mrs. Jackson died at the Her- 
mitage, the 22nd day of Dooember, 1828, aged 61. 



"PROUD OLD NATCHEZ" 19 

Mrs. Emily Donelson was mistress of the White House 
during General Jackson's Presidential term. 

The devotion of the Soldiers to General Jackson was in- 
tense and steadfast. He gained their love by unvarying 
thoughtfulness for their comfort as far as was possible un- 
der circumstances of the fatigues and trials incident to 
the life of a Soldier. 

One day while the Army of Jackson was marching over 
the Natchez trace from Nashville to New Orleans previous to 
the battle of New Orleans, he observed a boy of slight build who 
was faltering from the strain of the load he was carrying, and 
was nearly exhausted in attempting to keep up with the oth- 
ers. The General, after a moment's talk, dismounted from his 
horse, and with a few words of cheer, directed the tired boy to 
take his place in the saddle, and walked beside him for several 
miles. 

This boy was John M. Pintard, father of our fellow-citizen, 
Claude Pintard. 

In the early part of the war of 1812, Jackson marched a 
brigade of Militia from Nashville over the Natchez Trace, 
who were five weeks in reaching Natchez. The Sec- 
retary of War ordered him to discharge his men and 
deliver all public stores into the hands of General 
Wilkinson. This he refused. Wilkinson sent recruit- 
ing officers to bring Jackson's Tennesseeans over 
to Claiborne's Camp of United States Volunteers, but they 
were notified that they would be drummed out of Camp, and 
they were marched back to Tennessee, the Commander refus- 
ing to leave a single man behind, who had life in him. 

Thomas H. Benton, while at Natchez, did not agree with 
Jackson ; growing out of a dispute about the occupancy of the 
two Floridas, they had a street fight at Nashville that 
left the General with a crippled arm. 

Returning from New Orleans, where he had been to wit- 
ness the laying of the corner-stone of the Jackson Monument, 
he was received with enthusiasm at Natchez. 



20 "PROUD OLD NATCHEZ" 



CHAPTER VII. 



Xlbc "Hatcbcs XIrace. 

At the foot of Main street, near the intersection of Broadway, and 
located on the Bluff, is a groat white stone, weighing several tons, 
bearing the following inscription: 

"THE NATCHEZ TRACE." 

"Marked by the Daughters of the American Revolution in Mis- 
sissippi. 

"This historic thoroughfare from Natchez to Nashville, Tenn., 
was usid as a Mail Route, 1776, although it was a well-known Indian 
Trail in far earlier days. 

"The object of the Daughters of the American Revolution is to 
teach reverence for the flag of our country, and the preservation of 
historical spots. 

"The first marker of the Trace was placed at Natchez, 1909, and 
others will be located, until one by one, the white stones will be 
placed along the Trace to where it crosses the Mississippi, and Ala- 
bama line, reclaiming from the dim foot-prints of the half-forgotten 
period of our history, the first broad highway that opened the lower 
South to American occupation." — From address, Mrs. C. M. William- 
son, State Regent of Mississippi, D. A. R. 

The earliest and most famous of the public highways 
which traversed the present State of Mississippi was the so- 
called Natchez Trace. As soon as the Spaniards had finally 
evacuated the Natchez District, and immediately after the or- 
ganization of the Territorial Government of Mississippi, the 
Federal authorities empowered General Wilkinson, then in 
command of the United States troops at Natchez, to enter into 
certain negotiations with the Indian tribes south of Tennessee. 
One of the principal objects of the negotiations with the In- 
dians was to obtain their consent to the opening of public roads 
and mail routes, from the settlements of the Natchez District 
to the frontier settlements of Tennessee and Georgia, thereby 
facilitating intercourse and trade and promoting emigration to 
the new Mississippi Territory. 

All the vast region extending North and East of the Nat- 
chez Di.strict for nearly 500 miles to the distant white settle- 



''PROUD OLD NATCHEZ" 21 

ments on the Cumberland River, Tennessee, and to those in 
Georgia, was undisputed Indian territory. 

The Natchez District was remote and difficult of access. In- 
tercourse with the United States was by laborious ascent of the 
Mississippi and Ohio Rivers to the Kentucky and Tennessee 
settlements, or else over the lonely Indian Trace, which led for 
500 miles through the lands of the Choctaws and Chickasaws 
to the Cumberland River. 

In pursuance of these plans, the Treaty of Chickasaw 
Bluffs was concluded October 24, 1801, whereby the Chicka- 
saws conceded to the United States the right "to lay out and 
open, and make a convenient wagon road through their land, 
and the same shall be a highway for the citizens of the United 
States and the Chickasaws," 

In 1806, Congress appropriated the sum of $6,000 for 
the purpose of opening the road through the Indian country. 

The Natchez Trace crossed the Tennessee River a few 
miles below the ^Mussel Shoals, at "Colbert's Ferr}', " and 
thence pursued a southwesterly course to the "Grind-stone 
Ford, ' ' on the Bayou Pierre ; thence ran south and west to Nat- 
chez; it eventually connected with the various roads leading 
to New Orleans. 

At Nashville, Tenn., this road connected with the public 
highway, which ran east to Pittsburg, Penn., via Chilicothe 
and Zanesville, Ohio. 

Under the treaties, the Indians expressly reserved the 
right to establish public houses of entertainment along this 
route, as well as the control of the numerous ferries. 

The stations which sprung up along the road between 
Natchez and Nashville, and the distances (miles), separating 
each station, were as follows: Washington, 6; Selsertown, 5; 
Union Town, 8; Huntley (latter Old Greenville), 8; Port Gib- 
son, 25; Grind-stone Ford, 8; McRavens, Indian line, 18; 
Brashear's, 40; Nortons, 12; Chotas, 30; Laffloes, 34; Folsom's, 
Pigeon Roost, 30 ; Choctaw Line, 43 ; Indian Agents, 10 ; James 



22 "PROUD OLD NATCHEZ" 



Colbert's. 10; OKI Fiietor's. "Jli; .Jairu's lirowii's, 17; Bear 
Creek, 33; Lfvi ("olhcrt 's. HuzzanI Roost, 5; George Colbert's, 
Tcnn. Kiver. 7; Tuscoinbia's, Ki; h'actor's Sons. 1(>: Indian 
Line, 20; Dobbins, 5; Stantield's, Keg Spring. 10; Duck River, 
8; Smith's, 8; Boon's. Ki; Franklin, 8; iMcDonald's, 6; Nash- 
ville. 12. The total distance to Nashville was 501 miles, and to 
Pittsburg was 1,013 miles. Down this Trace passed a steady 
stream of travelers, often nu'ii of wealtli. journeying to the 
South in search of land, or other profitable investments; up it 
passed, traders and boatmen, from New Orleans, who would 
make the long return journey over land to their homos l.OOO 
miles away, and frequently carried with them rich treasures. 

(Rowland) 

Many stories are told of the Mason and Murel gangs, ami 
of Big and Little Harp, notorious bandits who infested this 
lonesome trail. 

Mason originally lived in Tennessee, and went from there 
to the Natchez country and organized his band. Tom Mason 
weighed some two hundred pounds, and was a fine-looking 
man; rather modest and unassuming, and no appearance of the 
brigand. 

The brothers Harp were even more blood-thirsty than 
Mason, one of them was a large man and was called Big 
Harp, and the small one was called Little Harp. 

The Governor offered a reward of $2,000 for their capture, 
and directed Colonel Burnett to place himself at the head of 
fifteen or twenty picked men, and scour the woods from Bayou 
Pierre to the Yazoo and capture the villians, if possible. Mason 
usually kept an intelligent man at Natchez to observe the out- 
fits and give notice of the approach of travelers. After the 
Governor's proclamation. Mason and his gang were closely 
hunted by the whites and Indians, and they cpiit the country. 

Another account says: "Mason and his gang one day 
robbed a traveler and took fi-om him n copy of the Governor's 
proclamation, lie had some words with two of his party, and 
on one occasion, when ordv the chief and these two men were 



PROUD OLD NATCHEZ" 23 



in camp, and he was asleep, they shot him, cut off his head and 
set out with it to claim the reward. Circuit Court was in ses- 
sion in the old town of Greenville, Jefferson comity, when they 
arrived. They went before the Judge to make their affidavit 
and get a certificate to the Governor. The head was identified 
by parties who knew Mason well, but just as the Judge was in 
the act of making out the certificate, a traveler stepped in the 
Court House, and requested to have the two men arrested. He 
had alighted at the Tavern, and repaired to the stable to see 
his horse attended to, and there saw the horses of the two men 
who had arrived just before him. He recognized the horses as be- 
longing to parties who had robbed him and killed one of his 
companions some two months previously, on the the Natchez 
Trace, and going into the Court House, he identified the two 
men. They were tried, convicted and executed at Greenville, 
Many fully identified the head by certain marks, as that of 
Mason, except his wife who positively denied it. The Gover- 
nor had sent his carriage for her expressly to come down and 
testify, and many believed Mason fled the country and died in 
his bed in Canada." 

The two Harps killed and robbed a man near Knoxville, 
and ran away into Kentucky, where they robbed and commit- 
ted so many outrages, that a company of men set out to hunt 
them down. They found and killed Big Harp, the Little Harp 
making his escape, and was probably one of the men hung at 
Greenville, Miss. 

After these gangs were dispersed, other men encouraged 
by Mason's success, tried it, but never got as much money as 
the Masons. 



24 "PROUD OLD NATCHEZ" 



CHAPTER VIII. 



(lelebrateD Duels. 

How iluflling was couducteil iu those days may be inferred 
from the following of an affair between Abijah Hunt and 
George Poindexter. 

Abijah Hunt was the most extensive merchant in the Mis- 
sissippi Territory, about 1810. He was a strong partisan and 
sided with the Federal party, and was known as a bitter op- 
ponent of George Poindexter. He is said to have made use of 
expressions against Poindexter, which the latter could not 
submit to in the prevailing state of public sentiment. 

Geo. Poindexter, of whom J. F. H. Claiborne, the bitter 
critic, said was the ablest man who ever lived in the State. 

Poindexter was a man about six feet in height, of slender 
frame, and strongly marked features. His eyes were keen 
and penetrating. 

"He was with the people in a log cabin, with nothing but 
whiskey-grog to drink, and corn bread and bacon to eat, the 
same as he was in a decorated parlor willi Madeira wine and 
plum pudding." 

Like many others of his time, he enjoyed int')xiet?tioii, the 
race track, and gaming table and the facilities at Natchez for 
this sort of entertainment were unsurpassed. 

As a member of the United States Senate, h.' tijuk part in 
the debates on the United States bank in opposifon to Presi- 
dent Jackson, and was the first to apply the name of "Kitchi-n 
Cabinet," to the group of Jackson friends, and intimate ad- 
visers. 

In 1834 he was President pro tem. of the Senate. AVhen 
Senator Poindexter was reported dead in 1837, a correspond«'iit 
of the Philadclpliia KiKjuirer. wrote: 



"PROUD OLD NATCHEZ" 25 



"As a man of talent, he had but few equals in the United 
States. His education was finished and classical, his reading 
was extensive and varied, there was not a subject in the 
sciences, literature, history or politics, with which he was not 
familiar. ' ' 

As a Statesman he would have held a place in the affairs 
of the country, second to that enjoyed by no man, but for the 
irascibility and impetuosity of his temperament. 

As a public speaker, his sarcasm and invective was never 
surpassed, his forte lay in that wild and deliberate torrent of 
denunciation which withers and blasts all before it. 

He was hailed as "Old Ironsides of Mississippi.' 

In November, 1836, he was severely injured by falling 
from the second floor of the Mansion House at Natchez, to the 
pavement outside. 

In 1811, one of the most unhappy events of his life oc- 
curred — his duel with Abijah Hunt. After the challenge had 
passed, Mr. Hunt was arrested, and Poindexter was closely 
pursued. Poindexter 's friend, Capt. Wm. C. Meade, sent Capt. 
Bradish, the friend of Mr. Hunt, the following note: 

"Near Natchez, June 6, 1811. 
"11 O'clock p. m. 
"Sir — Having evaded the constables by whom we have 
been harrassed, and understanding your friend has escaped, 
we have reason to hope there will be no further difficulty, and 
that you and your friend will meet us on the opposite side of 
the river at 4 p. m., tomorrow, if agreeable to your friend, or 
at as early an hour as possible. 

"My friend, his surgeon and myself cross over immedi- 
ately under cover of night and we shall anxiously await the 
arrival of your party. Our friend. Lieutenant Payton will de- 
liver you this note and will then rejoin us. He will inform 
you precisely where we are to be found. 

"Your obedient servant, 

"W. C. MEADE." 



26 "PROUD OLD NATCHEZ" 



Both parties being on the Louisiana side of the river, thr 
following terms were agreed to: 

"Wni. C. Meade, on the part of George Poindexter. V.sq., 
and Ebenezer Bradish, on part of Abijah Hunt, Esq., adopt and 
agree to the following terms of the meeting al)oiit to lake 
plaee : 

"1. The ground shall be measured in presenee of thi- 
seconds, and their principals shall then l)e placed at ten paces 
apart facing each other. 

"2. The seconds, in presence of each other, shall char;';!- 
two pistols with powder and one ball each. 

";i. These pistols shall be placed in the hands of the prin- 
cipals at their posts, by their respective seconds, and shall be 
held with the muzzle down. 

"4. The giving of the word shall then be decided by lot. 
The second who wins the privilege, shall say, slowly anil dis- 
tinctly : 

"'Gentlemen, are you ready?' If both pricipals answer: 
' We are ! ' He shall proceed thus : 

" 'One-two-three, Fire!' 

"5. After the word: 'One,' has been pronounced, rhn 
principals may elevate their pistols, but if either shall raise it 
from its perpendicular position before the word: 'One.' the 
second of the opposite party shall shoot him. 

"6. If either of the principals shall discharge his pistol 
before the word: 'Fire,' or shall withhold his shot after the 
word: 'Fire,' and then attempt to fire at his adversary, tlu' 
second of the latter shall shoot him dow^n. 

"7. The parties shall remain on the field until the chal- 
lenging party shall declare himself satisfied, or until one of 
the parties shall be too much disabled to continue the fight. 

"8. A sna|) or a flash of the pistol shall be considered a 

fire. 

"WM. C. MEADE. 
"E. BRADISH. 

•June 8. 1811." 



"PROUD OLD NATCHEZ" 27 



This cartel evidently meant business. The seconds were 
both what would be called now, fire-eaters. Bradish was a 
New Yorker, a loyalist, and held a commission in the Army 
from John Adams, and was a high-strung Federalist. 

Meade was a Georgian, had likewise been in the Army un- 
der a commission from Jefferson, and was an ardent Republi 
can. 

Capt. Bradish won the word, and gave it. Two pistol shots 
were heard, and Mr. Hunt received a wound in the abdomen, 
which in a few hours terminated his life. 

Of this duel Judge Elijah Smith said: 

"That the fire did take place before the word: 'Fire,' I 
do most unequivocally declare to be the fact, and that it com- 
menced with Mr. Poindexter, I cannot doubt." 

Mr. Poindexter replied to this statement by enquiring: 
Why, under the circumstances, the seconds of his adversary did 
not avail themselves of the Sixth Article of the Cartel And 
he published a number of affidavits, one from Col. Ward of 
Kentucky, who swore he saw Mr. Hunt as they were carrying 
him from the landing, and that Mr. Hunt's seconds and friends 
informed him that he had fallen in fair-fight. 

The above meeting took place about a mile above the pres- 
ent town of Vidalia. on the sandbar opposite Natchez. 

Capt. Winfield Scott and Dr. Upshaw fought a duel Feb- 
ruary 10, 1810, on the west bank of the Mississippi river oppo- 
site Natchez, where the Bluffs were crowded by several hun- 
dred spectators, including officers of the Army. 

The futures General sustained a painful scalp wound. Af- 
ter the Mexican War, General Scott was a candidate for the 
Presidency. 

Lieutenant Stephen Rose, U. S. A., fought opposite the 
mouth of St. Catherine, at ten paces, and Rose was instantly 
killed. 



28 "PROUD OLD NATCHEZ" 



CHAPTER IX. 



(Bcneral 3obn H. (Siuttman. 

■•Gtneral Quitman, second to nono. 

"Six hours before any other Chieftain, he fought his way into the 
heart of Monterey. 

"Eight hours before any other leader, he stormed the Gavita and 
entered the City of Mexico, the first to plant the Stars and Stripos 
over the Walls of Montezumas." 

— (Toast of General Felix Houston at the Natchez Banquet.) 

General John Anthony Quitman established himself at 
Natchez in 1821. He was a man of stalwart frame, with pow- 
erful fists, that he occasionally use aggressively. 

The wealth he acquired he dispensed royally. In two Na- 
tional Conventions, he was a strong candidate for the V'^ice- 
Prefiidency. He was twice elected to Congress, was Chairman 
of the Committee on Military Affairs in 1857. 

In 1847, he took part in the war with I\Iexico. Successful 
in the bloody assault upon the Castle of Chapultepec, he or- 
dered his column against the Belen gate of the Mexican Capi- 
tal, and was the first to reach the guns of the Mexican Capital. 

He led his brigade to the Grand Plaza, and saluted the 
American flag on the dome of the Capital. 

He was commissioned Major General, April 14. 1847. 

In March, 1847, Congress voted him a sword, "in testi- 
mony of the high sen.se entertained by Congress of his gal- 
lantry and good conduct in storming Monterey." 

116 was personally the most popular man in America at 
the period of his death, and for six years previous to his death 
could the machinery of parties have been dispensed with, the 
populat-ity he brought from Mexico, and his grand idea of 
American progress would have carried him to the head of af- 
fairs. 



"PROUD OLD NATCHEZ" 29 

In 1849, General Quitman was elected Governor of Missis- 
sippi by a majority of about 10,000. 

Governor Quitman's inauguration, January 19, 1850, was 
made as splendid as possible, "and all that Military pomp 
could do to add grandeur to the occasion was added. 

"Governor Quitman was dressed in the uniform he had 
worn in Mexico, and mounted upon white horse, with gorge- 
ous trapping, maidens dressed in white-strewed flowers before 
him, and sang: 'Hail to the Chief Who in Triumph Ad- 
vances.' " 

General Quitman with others, suffered the mysterious 
sickness that followed the National Hotel banquet to Presi- 
dent Buchanan, in the spring of 1857. 

He rapidly failed and friends tenderly escorted him to 
Natchez, where he died July 17, 1858, aged fifty-nine years. 

The Legislature and the Bar of the State, and Congress of 
the United States, and the Masonic order-at-large, paid every 
honor to his memory. 



30 "PROUD OLD NATCHEZ 



CHAPTER X. 



General Wtlhtnson. 

During the year 1806. an undefined apprehension of im- 
pending danger prevailed the territory. No one knew in 
what form it would come, or from what quarter. At length 
the news came distinctly and specifically from many responsi- 
ble sources, with affidavits and solemn warnings that Colonel 
Aaron Burr was descending the river with a flotilla of boats, 
and from one to two thousand men. Dismemberment of the 
Union, the seizure of New Orleans and the conquest of Mexico 
his purpose, and many persons believed, and some did not 
hesitate to say that James Wilkinson, Commanding General of 
the Army, was a party to the pact. 

General Wilkinson came to Mississippi territory in 
1798. He was always suspected of allowing personal con- 
siderations to control much of his Military and Official con- 
duct, and appeared a most intimate friend, or rather the most 
devoted creature of Aaron Burr. 

Because President Jefferson desired the support of Burr 
to offset the attacks of John Randolph, Wilkinson avered, he 
was persecuted for eleven years by Randolph. 

What seemed to be the indictment and trial of Burr, be- 
came, in a political point of view, the trial of Wilkinson, with 
John Randolph, acting as accuser, and President Jefferson as 
counsel for the defense. 

At the trial of Burr, in Richmond, Andrew Jackson de- 
nounced Wilkinson on the street as a traitor. Swartwont jos- 
tled the General on the sidewalk and posted him as a coward, 
when he refused to fight. Wilkinson challenged Randolph, 
December 29, 1807. Randolph refused to meet him. whereupon 
the General posted the Congressman. 



PROUD OLD NATCHEZ" 31 



The adininistrati^»a party in Congress, was obliged to sup- 
port Wilkinson on account of the attitude of John l^andolph. 

In his long career, General Wilkinson encountered many 
vicissitudes of fortune, and made many powerful enemies, in- 
cluding President Madison, John Randolph, General Winfield 
Scott and others, but in every instance, no matter how great 
the odds, or how powerful the public sentiment they directed 
against him, he stood with his back to a rock and defied them 
all. 

Philip Nolan, who took a conspicuous part in many of 
Wilkinson's intrigues, frequently visited Natchez, and was a 
singular character. Edward Everett Hale made this same 
Nolan the familiar of his interesting tale, "A Man Without a 
Country," taking the name from the reference to Nolan in the 
memories of General Wilkinson. 



32 "PROUD OLD NATCHEZ" 



CHAPTER XI. 



Haron JBurr. 

The ablest politiciau of his age and a successful lawyer, a 
person of extraordinary powers of social influence, missed by 
one vote, election to the Presidency of the United States, in 
1801, and served the next four years as Vice-President. 

Burr sought election as Governor of New York, was de- 
feated by the influence of Hamilton, whom he killed in a duel, 
July, 1804. Finding it hopeless to recover popularity in New 
York, the followers of Jefferson refusing their confidence, and 
the friends of Hamilton pursuing him with the ferocity of 
bloodhounds, he directed his attention to the West, combining 
in his prt)jects speculation and ]\Iilitary adventures. 

He began to speak contemptuously of the Union, as a 
mere rope of sand. Colonel Burr had fallen into the common 
error of imder-valuing the people. He corresponded with and 
interviewed many prominent characters, collected funds; in- 
vented ciphers and countersigns, dispatched agents in differ- 
ent quarters, never openly disclosing his intentions, but hint- 
ing at wealth and power and fame. 

Andrew Jackson was his warm friend and sympathizer in 
any project against the Spanish. 

A suspicion prevailed that Burr was organizing a project 
to seize the forts and military posts on the Mississippi, and 
call a convention of Western States to form an independent 
government in confederation with Louisiana and tlie liberation 
of Mexico. 

He reached New Orleans and gained the sympathy and as- 
sistance of the Mexican organization working for the libera- 
tion of Mexico. After a fortnight in New Orleans, he came to 



PROUD OLD NATCHEZ" 33 



Natchez, where he spent a week getting in touch with the in- 
habitants, willing to engage in an expedition against the Span- 
ish. 

President Jefferson issued his proclamation November 27, 
1806, announcing that sundry persons were conspiring to form 
a military expedition against the Dominions of Spain. 

By the end of December, 1806, the Vesuvius, 14 guns, the 
Revenge 12 guns, the Etna 14 guns, and five gunboats of two 
guns each, were anchored near Natchez to meet Burr's imagin- 
ary army of invasion, but when the whole expedition came to- 
gether in the Ohio, there were only nine boats and less than 
60 men. 

Burr reached Bayou Pierre, January 12, 1807. Half of his 
boats were loaded with provisions. 

In the meantime Acting Governor Meade, of Mississippi, 
on the meeting of the General Assembly, informed that body 
of the ''existence of a plot designed to destroy the connection 
which exists between the territory and the United States. 
The Legislature authorized him to take measures to defeat a 
conspiracy so diabolical. 

Burr being informed of the state of public feeling address- 
ed a letter to Meade, avowing the innocence of his views and 
the fallacy of certain rumors against his patriotism ; his object 
is agriculture, his boats a vehicle of emigration. 

Without knowledge of the pacific nature of the communi- 
cation, Colonel F. L. Claiborne was getting up an expedition 
of three hundred men from Natchez to the mouth of Cole's 
Creek. 

On the visit of the military. Burr told the officer he would 
submit himself to trial, upon any charge against him, before 
the civil authority. 

The boats were searched for signs of a military expedition 
in vain, and they were brought down to Natchez, the men pa- 
roled. 

Comfort Taylor, Harmon Blennerhassett, Senator Smith 
of Ohio, and other distinguished characters arrived after the 



34 "PROUD OLD NATCHEZ" 



arrest of Burr, and the number of boats was increased to about 
thirteen, the total number of the party to about one hundred. 

Burr and his men were treated with marks of respect and 
confidence, by the wealthy merchants and planters of Nat- 
chez. 

Judges Rodney and Bruin opened court February 14th. 
Burr appeared in person and by attorneys. Attorney General 
Poindexter moved to discharge the Grand Jury, saying no tes- 
timony was discovered, which brought the offense charged, 
within the jurisdiction of the courts of the Territory. 

Burr addressed the court against the motion, because if 
the Attorney General had no business for them he had, and if 
the jury was discharged he also should be discharged. The 
court disagreed. The Grand Jury was dismissed, but Burr 
was refused release from his recognizance. 

Burr after consultation went into hiding at Windy Hill 
Manor. $5,000 was offered for his capture. February 6th, 
Governor Williams proclaimed that he had forfeited his bond 
and fled, and offered a reward of $2,000 for his apprehension. 

Burr mounted a fleet horse and accompanied by Chester 
Ashley, he set out from his hiding place, a fugitive in dis- 
guise. 

Nicholas Perkins caused the arrest of Burr. He was detain- 
ed at Fort Stoddart and conveyed to Washington, where Per- 
kins was paid $3,000. 

Two indictments against Burr, one for treason and one for 
misdemeanor, were presented by the Grand Jury at Rich- 
mond, May 22. Wilkinson escaped indictment by a vote of 
nine to seven. Chief Justice John Marshall ruled that an overt 
act of levying war had not been proven, the government aban- 
doned the case, and the jury returned a verdict of not guilty. 



PROUD OLD NATCHEZ" 35 



CHAPTER XII. 



Stor? ot /iDaoeltne. 

When Colonel Burr was released under his recognizance, 
he became the guest of Colonel Osman, a wealthy planter, resid- 
ing at "Windy Hill Manor," about four miles from the City of 
Natchez, which is now owned by E. Brandon Stanton, and for 
generations has been the property of the family. 

Maj. Guion resided at the foot of the "Half-Way-Hill," 
and there was a rural path between the two places trellised 
with vines and shaded by evergreens. 

This was Burr's daily resort, but its refreshing shade and 
charming prospect were not the only attractions. There lived, 
at that time, near the summit of the hill, in a little vine-covered 
cottage, a widowed lady from Virginia, whose small farm and 
two or three slaves were the only remains of a large fortune. 

Her husband had converted his property into money, and 
on his way to this Territory had been robbed and murdered by 
the notorious Joseph Thompson Hare, a more blood thirsty vil- 
lain, even than the celebrated Mason. 

She had but one child, Madeline, a miracle of beauty in 
form and feature, in grace and modesty. She was all that the 
old masters have pictured the divine Madonna, or that artist 
ever dreamed of maiden loveliness. 

Those who saw her loved her, yet she was never conscious 
of sentiment until she listened to Aaron Burr. 

At length after canvassing his situation with Colonel 
Osman and six other confidential friends. Colonel Burr, de- 
termined to forfeit his bond. One stormy night in February, 
1807, he set forth mounted on the favorite horse of his host. 
Urgent as was the necessity for expedition. Colonel Burr halted 
till daylight at the widow's cottage, imploring the beautiful 
Madeline to be the companion of his flight. 



36 "PROUD OLD NATCHEZ" 



He promised inarri;i,<]r(', I'orliinc. hii,'li position and even 
liiiited at Imperial Ikmkm-s, not realizinti: even then, a fugitive 
and branded traitor, the crushing downfall that impended over 
him. 

The maiden gave him her heart ; she even listened to his 
witchery night after uight, and loved him with all the fervor 
of a Southern nature. She would have followed him to the 
end of the earth, and to the scafiPold. and her aged mother 
would freely have given her to this captivating man — for they 
looked on him as a demi-god, but as with most of our South- 
ern women, the principles of religion, virtue and propriety 
were .stronger than prepossession and passion, and the en- 
treaties of the accomplished liberitine were firmly rejected. 

Baffled and disappointed he was compelled to proceed, 
but promised to return, and carried with liim the covenant 
and pledge of the beautiful Madeline. 

She was wooed by many lovers. The young and gallant 
masters of the large plantations .strove in vain for her hand. 
Fortunes and the homage of devoted hearts were laid at her 
feet, but the maid of the "Half- Way-Hill" remained true to 
her absent lover ; the more so because of the rumors that reach- 
ed her of his misfortunes and his guilt. 

She lived in recollection of his manl}- beauty, and the 
shades he had most affected were her constant haunts. 

When ^Madeline visited New Orleans, her extreme beauty, 
her grace and elegance produced the greatest enthusiasm. The 
hotel where she put up was besieged. If she appeared on 
the balcony, a dozen Cavaliers were waiting to salute her and 
the daily homage to her ])eauty never ceased until the evening 
bells sounded the Angelus. 



PROUD OLD NATCHEZ" 37 



CHAPTER XIII. 



Jefferson H)ax>ts. 

Jefferson Davis, the youngest of ten children, was born in 
Todd county, Kentucky. During his infancy his family mov- 
ed to a mile east of Woodville, Miss. When about ten years of 
age he went to Jefferson College, at Washington, six miles east 
of Natchez. 

On July 4, 1824, he was appointed to West Point. After 
graduating he was stationed at Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin. 
In 1831 he fell in love with a daughter of Colonel Zachary 
Taylor. 

Colonel Taylor was resolved that his daughters should not 
marry soldiers, unfortunately taking opposite sides with Taylor 
as a member of a court martial, the Colonel requested him 
never to enter his quarters. 

He took part in Black Hawk war in 1832 and resigned 
from the army June 30, 1835. Meanwhile Taylor's daughter 
failing to overcome her father's objection to Davis, took a boat 
to St. Louis and was married. 

Coming at once down the river, they stopped at ' ' The Hur- 
ricane, ' ' the home of his brother, and received from him a tract 
of land called Brierfield. He and his wife both contracted 
malarial fever, and Mrs. Davis died September 15, 1835. 

He gave his life up as a planter rarely leaving his home 
for eight years. In 1843 he entered politics and met S. S. 
Prentiss in debate at Vicksburg. They spoke hour and hour 
about for two days. 

Reuben Davis wrote : 

"Less brilliant in oratory than Prentiss, he was always 
fascinating and charming, cautious and deliberate, he proved 
himself a master of rhetoric and logic. 



38 "PROUl OLD NATCHEZ" 



"In i)t'rs()iial ai)pea,»aixe(> and traits Ik- was very attractive. 
Ilis ligiire was erect ana grr-cful, thoug.i spare, his carriage 
easy. Ills memory was infallible. A person he had met casual- 
ly he could call l)y name many years after." 

"He was a devout man. modest and humble in his relations 
to his maker, without a tincro of the Pharisee. At his table he 
said grace — with bowed head in silence, making the invoca- 
tion." — (Robert Ransom.) 

Like most people of keen perceptions, wit, and high stan- 
dards, Mr. Davis was inclined to satire^ and in his younger 
days indulged this propensity, never cruelly, but often to his 
own injury, (Mrs. Davis.) 

On the question of repudiation Davis contended with his 
party, that the bonds were issued without warrant of the Con- 
stitution, though he admitted the weight of Prentiss' argument, 
by admitting that the State might be sued, and he was in favor 
of abiding by the judgment of the court. 

Early in 1845, he came down to Natchez for his marriage^ 
to Varina, daughter of W. B. Howell, which took place at the 
Briers. 

On the boat he met General Taylor and was reconciled 
with him. 

He was elected to Congress and took his seat December, 
1845. He took his seat in the United States Senate December 
6, 1847. 

At Natchez June 14, 1847, he was given a grand reception. 

His gallantry at Monterey and Buena Vista made his name 
famous all over the United States. 

The limit of space will not permit of an extended account 
of Mr. Davis' life and influence. 

After the war he retired to his plantation above Natchez 
and died December 6, 1890. 



PROUD OLD NATCHEZ" 39 



CHAPTER XIV. 



Bombardment ot matcbes. 

This unfortunate affair is best described by the following 
official report of Commodore Porter, U. S. N., Commander U. S. 
S. Essex, of the movements of that vessel, and as related by- 
Mrs. Nathan (Beekman) Lorie, formerly a resident of Natchez, 
but now of Kansas City, Mo : 

REPORT OF COMMODORE PORTER. 

"U. S. GUNBOAT ESSEX, 

"Off New Orleans, September 9, 1862. 

»**♦***«#* 

' ' The Anglo-American joined me on the 29th, and reported 
three batteries as having opened on her whilst passing Port 
Hudson. She received 73 shots in her en passant. I had receiv- 
ed intimation that the Rebel gunboat Webb was at Natchez, to 
which city she had convoyed transports with supplies from 
Red River. I followed to that City, but found they had sought 
protection of the Vicksburg guns. 

"At Natchez a boat's crew from the Essex was sent ashore 
to procure ice for my sick, when they were wantonly attacked 
by over 200 armed citizens, wounding the officer in command, 
and killing one and wounding five seamen. 

"I immediately opened fire on the lower town and set a 
considerable number of the houses (from whence they were 
firing on us) on fire. After bombarding the place for an hour, 

the Mayor unconditionally surrendered. 

«#****« *** 

"W. D. PORTER, 
"Commanding U. S. Navy." 
The portions of the report omitted have no bearing on the 
bombardment. 



40 "PROUD OLD NATCHEZ" 

LETTER FROM MRS. NATHAN LORIE. 

Petoskey, Mich., Sept. 5, I'JU'J. 
DEAR PHIL.— 

I was only a child, nine years old, at the bombardment of 
Natchez, and do not feci qualified to write an accurate account 
of it. 

I do know positively, however, that the Sailors offered and 
wanted to paj^ for the ice. They wanted it for sick men on 
board the ]\Iau-of-War, when it was refused them, they said 
the}'' would be obliged to take it by force. 

Papa was on the spot, and I have often heard him relate it. 

I remember it all most vividly, but, of course, from a 
child's viewpoint. 

I remember seeing men rushing about, the Courier riding 
up and down the hill taking reports to the citizens. I know 
that when the Sailors were out in the river they were fired 
upon with shotguns by these same citizens. 

Then the gunboat opened fire on Natchez — all of us, except 
Mirriam, (now ^Irs. Sehatz), were huddled in a little back hall- 
way at the foot of the stairs. 

Houses began to burn around us, and somebody from the 
street called to Mirriam. who stood at the window : 

' ' For God 's sake get out of the house. ' ' 

Rosalie begged us to stay ; when it was decided that we 
must go, she said : 

"Let us say our prayers before we go!" 

We started to go down among the hills, and I well remem- 
l)er how we rushed along, one bcliind tlie otlier. Rosalie was 
just behind me, and papa just ahead. I heard her fall and 
said : 

"Rosalie has fallen down." 

Papa called to her to get up. She said : 

"I can't papa, I'm killed!" 

I remember picking her up. his dreadful cries as he car- 
ried her in his arms, the blood streaming from her wound. 



PROUD OLD NATCHEZ" 41 



He carried her down among the hills. Mirriam secured a 
mattress, a pitcher and some cloths, went to the river for wa- 
ter, bound the wound as best she could, and carried her up the 
back hill. 

We took a carriage and went to John Meyer's home, 
where the innocent victim died twenty-four hours after. 

Rosalie had been struck by a fragment of a flying shell. 

Later on the following letter was received and filed in the 
City Clerk 's office : 

"United States Flagship Hartford, 
"Off Natchez, Miss., March 17th, 1863. 
"SIR— 

' ' I trust that it is unnecessary to remind you of my desire 
to avoid the necessity of punishing the innocent for the guilty, 
and to express to you the hope that the scene of firing on the 
United States boats will not be repeated by either the lawless 
people of Natchez, or by Guerrilla Forces, otherwise I shall 
be compelled to do the act most repugnant to my feelings by 
firing on your town, in defense of my people and of the honor 
of my flag. 

"I shall be most happy to see His Honor, the Mayor on 

board. 

"Very respectfully, 

"D. G. FARRAGUT, 

Rear Admiral, 
"HIS HONOR, "Com'dg. W. G. Bl'g Sqd'n. 

"The Mayor of Natchez, Miss." 



42 "PROUD OLD NATCHEZ" 



CHAPTER XV. 



©ID ■RatcbC3 Ibomes 

Let us now glance for a brief space at some of the ante- 
bellum homes, within and without the city, evidencing a de- 
gree of luxury and refined taste during the first half of the 
last century, to be found nowhere else in the South. 

About two miles east of Natchez, stood Concord, the fine 
old residence of three Spanish Governors, Governor Grand 
Pre, Governor Gayoso, and the last representative of Spain, 
Governor Estavan Minor, whose decendants were long in pos- 
session. Concord was built in 1789, but now lies in ruins — the 
work of the fire fiend. 

Dunbarton, the home of the Dunbar family. 

Somerset, the home of the Chotards, whose charming in- 
terior, filled with costly bric-a-brac, china and antiques, and 
the portraits of several generations, it is a place of delight. 

Richmond, the home of the Marshalls. 

Longwood, the Nutt residence, was never entirely finish- 
ed, is a noble conception of Moorish design, and stands in the 
midst of a large park. 

Elmscourt, the beautiful McKittrick home, very quaint in 
design, suggesting an Italian villa. 

Gloster, enshrouded in trees, the home of Winthrop Sar- 
gent, first Territorial Governor of Mississippi, in the ([uiet 
graveyard nearby is the final resting place of Governor Sar- 
gent and Seargent S. Prentiss. 

Auburn, the stately brick and stone mansion of Mr. 
Stephen Duncan. 

Woodlands, ample in proportions, with wide-spreading 
galleries, is now the home of Hon. E. IT. Ratcliff. 



^ 



K 



X S 




"PROUD OLD NATCHEZ" 43 



Linden, the home of the Conners^ surrounded by over 
ninety feet of pillared galleries, and set in the midst of hand- 
some grounds. 

The Briars, unpretentioas, but comfortable. It was here 
that Jefferson Davis married Varina Howell. 

Arlington, approached by a winding avenue of water oaks, 
was the former home of Judge S. S. Boyd, and famed for its 
paintings and fine old library ; it is now owned by his daugh- 
ter, Mrs. Wm. Bennerville Rhodes. 

Melrose, now owned by Mr. George Kelly, is a stately old 
place. 

Homewood and Lansdown. imposing old homes. 

Stanton Hall, is the handsome and luxurious home of A. G. 
Campbell. 

Rosalie, a fine brick, home of S. E. Rumble, overlooking 
the bluffs. Here General Grant made his headquarters while 
at Natchez. 

Magnolia Vale, home of R. F. Learned, and the only one 
beneath the bluffs, is unsurpassed by any in the beauty of its 
lawns and gardens. 

\^ Dunleith. one of the handsomest mansions in Natchez, sur- 
rounded by beautiful grounds, and now the residence of Mr. 
Joseph N. Carpenter. 

Thus the list of stately old homes might be extended in- 
definitely. 



44 "PROUD OLD NATCHEZ 



CHAPTER XVI. 



Xata\?ettc— Ibenr^ (Ila\?— Xlbe Slave /Darhet. 
l^ellow ifever. 

On steamer Natchez, on Monday, the 18th of April, 1825, 
this distinguished Frenchman was met at the steamboat land- 
ing by an escort of Cavalry and Infantry, citizens on horse- 
back and ladies in carriages, who came to welcome the 
General. As he was entering his hotel a procession of children 
led by Colonel Marshall approached and requested permission 
to shake hands with him. The General willingly complied. 
The inhabitants of Natchez neglected nothing which contribut- 
ed to the pleasure of this guest during the twenty-four hours 
he remained witli them. 

Henry Clay visited Natchez March 11, 1820, coming up from 
New Orleans on the Caledonia. A vast concourse of people 
gathered on his arrival. Chancellor Quitman delivered the 
welcoming address. A ball was given and a dinner at which 
250 people sat down. This, in spite of intensely partizan feel- 
ings, which prompted newspaper criticisms of the reception as 
"Nauseous adulation." 

The Mississippi planter was humane and considered the 
comfort of his slaves. The cruel master lost social position. 
"Old Massa," was not a tyrant, but the head of the family, of 
which they considered themselves a member. 

The Slave Market near Natchez, was about a mile from 
the town — a court yard surrounded liy low buildings. The 
negroes for sale were dressed in black fur hats, round- 
abouts and trousers of corduroy velvet, good vests, strong 
shoes and white cotton shirts. 



"PROUD OLD NATCHEZ" 45 

The females were dressed in neat calico frocks, white 
aprons and capes, and fancy kerchiefs. 

Negroes, when brought into market, were always anxious 
to be sold and to be sold first, was a great desideratum, for in 
their estimation it was an evidence of superiority. 

Owners frequently refused to sell negroes, so as not to part 
sisters attached to each other, but negroes so related frequently 
preferred to be sold to different owners, so they might have a 
pretext for visits. 

Natchez, while remarkable for its healthfulness, has suf- 
fered severe visitations of yellow fever, and that it was caused 
by poison communicated by a diseased mosquito, was unknown 
until 1900. Previous to that year and as late as 1905, strict, 
quarantine regulations were enforced, sometimes with guns, 
and fumigation of baggage and mails, and exclusion of certain 
classes of freight was required. 

In 1905, no embargo was put on as in former quarantines, 
citizens aided the physicians, no case was concealed. 

The fight was made on the mosquito, patients carefully 
screened, were visited by their friends daily without alarm, 
and without infection. Cisterns were screened and oiled. 

Dr. W. H. Aikman, Health Officer, reported 196 cases; 
deaths, 9. 

Drawing a parallel between present knowledge and treat- 
ment of this disease with former visitations, such records as 
are obtainable show the fatalities from yellow fever : 

In 1871 there were 1,200 cases, 99 deaths 8.25 per cent, as 
against 4.41 per cent in 1905. 

In 1822, 312 deaths; 1826, 150 deaths; 1839, 235 
death, an enormous mortality when it is remebered that the 
population was very much smaller than in 1905. 

There seems to exist no fear from future epidemics. 



46 "PROUD OLD NATCHEZ" 



CHAPTER XVII. 



Carpenter Scbool IRo. I. 

"Carpenter School No. 1. In memory of Camilla Carpenter Hen- 
derson. This school is given by her brother, N Leslie Carpenter, for 
the White Children of Natchez, the Home of the Carpenter Family. 
Erected A. D.. 1909." 

— (Legend carved on Marble Slab.) 

This splendid building, complete with its steam heating 
plant, automatic ventilating system, modern sanitary arrange- 
ments, with all furniture and equipment, constructed for and 
presented by I\Ir. N. Leslie Carpenter to the youth of his na- 
tive city, threw open its doors for the reception of its pupils, 
September 13. 1909. 

Here, under the most pleasing environments it is within 
the power of all to obtain knowledge with its far-reaching 
benefits, at the fountain, free of charge. 

The event was historic and should have permanent record 
in the annals of the city. 

The act is consecrated to the affections of posterity, which 
should not be permitted to forget it, and as for the man who 
lessens the wide gap between ignorance and knowledge, he 
should be immortalized. 

Alvarez Fisk. in 1845, donated a lot in Commerce street for 
school purposes, and probably gave money toward erecting the 
two-story building that was removed to make place for the 
present fine edifice, or he may have borne the entire cost. 

There is little known today of just what did occur seven- 
ty years ago, nor of the good man, himself, but his name cou- 
pled with this one deed, is sweet and dear to memory "as one 
who loved his fellow-man." 



PROUD OLD NATCHEZ" 47 



The Carpenter Family came from sturdy New England 
stock. Mr. N. L. Carpenter, grandfather of the donor, came 
to Natchez in the thirties, attaining much prominence in busi- 
ness affairs, and retaining unbounded esteem and confidence 
in this community until his death. 

Mr. Joseph N. Carpenter, the father of Leslie, was born in 
Natchez, September 1, 1846, was educated in the public schools. 
At the age of sixteen he made preparations to join the Con- 
federate Army, he was arrested by the Federals, and thrown 
into jail. 

In war days being imprisoned for such a cause was con- 
sidered a patriotic sacrifice, which carried no ignominy, but to 
go in a cell attired in one's best broadcloth suit, was distress- 
ing and must, if possible, be avoided ; the boy finally persuad- 
ed the Provost Marshal to permit him to go to his home and 
there make a change of clothing, on his word of honor, he 
would return as soon as it could be affected. 

It is needless to say he made good his word. He was sub- 
sequently released, upon giving bond in the sum of $2,000 in 
gold. 

Finding a favorable opportunity to escape, he with others, 
rode to Brandon, Miss., where they were arrested as spies; 
proving loyalty to the Confederacy, they were allowed to pro- 
ceed. 

His Army service embraced some of the most famous and 
hotly contested battles of the war. At the end, the Confed- 
erate government was indebted to him in the sum of $1,400 for 
which he accepted in full satisfaction a dollar and a quarter in 
Mexican Silver. 

His trip home was made by wagon, train, raft, steamboat 
and on foot, while the journey was attended by many harships, 
it was so full of ludicrous situations, and novel adventures that 
the story is amusing to recall and interesting to relate. 

Returning to Natchez at the close of hostilities, he found 
this section suffering the devastating effect of the four years' 



48 *' PROUD OLD NATCHEZ" 



conflict, it was drained of its liie Idood. witli a jjovcrty of men 
and money, without credit at home or abroad, a disorganized 
labor system, and unsolved problems to be faeed. their solution 
is a tale of struggle carried on against apparently overwhelming 
odds, but like a hardened veteran of the South 's struggle, the 
returning soldier made battle, which brought victory after a 
hard fight. 

Mr. Carpenter devoted his energies to industrial develop- 
ment, and in time, built and operated great oil mills and steam- 
boat lines, conducted a business in cotton that covered both 
continents. He with his associates inspired and built the cot- 
ton mills, the ice factory and the splendid Natchez Hotel. He 
built up the ^lallery Grocery Company, and is interested in 
the Baker & I\IcDowell Hardware Company. 

He has large ginning and planting interest, giving em- 
ployment to a great number of laborers. 

]\Ir. Carpenter was one of the leading spirits in the promo- 
tion and building the Natchez & Jackson Railroad, in 1878- 
1880. 

He organized the cotton house of Carpenter, Desomes & 
Co., of Liverpool, and Carpenter Baggot & Co., New York. 

In 1868 was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Carpenter 
to Miss Zipporah Russell, and a son and two daughters were 
born to them. 

N. Leslie Carpenter, the only son of Joseph N. Carpenter, 
was born in Natchez in 1870. He finished his education at 
Vanderbilt University. On completion of his stadies he was f(»r 
a time employed at the Bessemer (Alabama) Rolling Mills, and 
subsequently assistant cashier of the Bessemer Bank. 

He then went to Liverpool, taking a conspicuou'j position 
in the cotton trade, as head of the newly organized firm of Car- 
penter, Desomse & Co. On formation of the New York house 
he returned to llu- United States, and is identified as head of 
the l)rokerage hovise of Carpenter, Baggot & Co. 

He now has his residence in New York Citv. 




N. LESLIK CARPENTER. 




JOSEPH N. CARPENTER. 



"PROUD OLD NATCHEZ" 49 

In providing additional schools for the city, Mr. Car- 
penter proposed to have two buildings erected, to 
be located so as to afford access to children from the ontlying 
wards. The two buildings are to cost $80,000. 

Carpenter School, No. 1, will be followed by Carpenter 
School No. 2, whenever the Board of School Directors deter- 
mine that it is required. 

This sketch of the Carpenter family would be incomplete 
without mention of their many charitable and good deeds, pri- 
vate as well as public, rendered in their home city and else- 
where. 

Were it not for their well-known aversion to have them 
revealed beyond the knowledge of themselves and recipients, 
they would make a handsome showing in these pages. 



50 "PROUD OLD NATCHEZ" 



CHAPTER XVIII. 



/»arM»(Bras-1Ropal personaoes. 

"1716, Bienville arrived at Natchez, and was welcomed by a 
grand dance, in which 600 warriors and 300 women toolt part. A 
grander ball than this proud city of the bluffs has never witnessed 
since, even in the palmiest days of opulince and splendor." (Clai- 
borne.) 

Mardi Gras is a season of gaiety, cares of every nature are 
put aside, and the day devoted to viewing or participating in 
the pageant, devised for the entertainment of the public. 

The displays are picturesque and beautiful, rich in design, 
they form an agreeable picture, pleasing in variety, brilliant 
and spectacular. 

The merry-making citizens, inspired by a spirit of hospital- 
ity, with the harmony of a loving family bend their energies 
to the entertainment of the thousands of visitors coming to 
view the spectacle. 

The United States Government frequently orders to the 
port of Natchez, its cruisers and torpedo boats. 

The U. S. S. Plymouth in 1877; the Yantic, 1881; Concord, 
1892; Nashville. 1899; Scorpion, 1901; Atlanta, 1903; Monitor 
Arkansas, 1906; Cruiser Des Moines, 1907; Torpedo Boats 
Tingey and Wilkes, 1909, and the Battleship Mississippi, May 
1909. 

The business talent of the city lends the occasion its able 
and valuable service. Railroads run special and always crowd- 
ed trains, steamboats decorated with flags by the hundreds, 
loaded with excursionists welcome King Rex to Ilis Royal City. 
Day and night parades, free lunches at all the Clubs, Balls and 
Dinners occupy every minute of time. 

The President of the Association, Mr. P. W. Mulvihill, Sr., 
who has rendered most valuable service since the first Carni- 



"PROUD OLD NATCHEZ" 51 

val, is a master of detail, and as an organizer, has few equals, 
with remarkable executive ability, coupled with unswerving 
good-nature. 

There is scarcely a participant but has his or her troubles, 
with them they go to P. W., one or two softly-spoken words set- 
tles the affair, and all is serene. 

How he manages to carry over the annual defieite between 
receipts and expenditures is one of the mysteries, but he ac- 
complishes it. 

Then the King, who ever is a merry old soul, calls for his 
pipe and calls for his bowl, and calls for his fiddlers three. 
He may lose his crown, but P. W. has a stock of crowns war- 
ranted to fit any King in Christendom. He has also a menage- 
rie of animals, snakes and birds, none vicious, but requiring 
care and attention. 

When the gorgeous tableaux have been created by skilled 
artisans, they must be moved, perfect harmony of action is 
necessary the hundreds of participants without previous train- 
ing must act as a unit. 

Bands of music. Captains on horseback, light-bearers al- 
most innumerable, the maskers, the moving tableaux exactly 
distanced, an emergency repair force in case of trouble, and 
ranch more besides are under his watchful eye, but as certain 
as the Cathedral Clock strikes the hour of eight, the pageant 
moves, the bystanders shout triumphantly, the bands give forth 
their strongest and sweetest notes, they are off, for the Queen 
must never be delayed in presenting her flagon of cheer to the 
Merry King, when His Majesty lingers at her Court to present 
a bouquet of American Beauties, and drink to her health and 
happiness. 

And the Ball, and the King and Queen, on their gorgeous 
throne, and brilliant lights, music and flowers, with pretty 
Maids of Honor and Courtiers in resplendent costumes, how 
gay and care-free they are ! But never a Courtier makes his bow 
or the lovely Maid her courtesy, but way down in their hearts. 



52 "PROUD OLD NATCHEZ" 

they feel that P. \V. is behind the throne, pulling the srting 
that makes the wheels go round, and the genial president, if he 
ean danee. he will not, but sits in his box surrounded by his 
pretty girls, his only command being: "On with the dance; let 
joy be uneonfinied," and revels in his well-earned success, for 
he has never had a failure. 

Those who chance on this many years hence, must be in- 
troduced in this manner to P. W. Mulvihill. 

And in the chronicle should be preserved the names of the 
Koyal Family, and of the Dukes and Earls, the Courtiers and 
the Jesters, lest time dim the glory of their reign, and their 
triumphs disappear from the memory of man. 

1898 — Jas. A. Clinton, King; Miss Mary Chamberlain, Queen; 
Courtiers: Misses Edna M, French, Ruth Britton, Ca- 
mille Carpenter, Laura Arrighi, Emily Ferriday, Ethel 
Jacobs; Messrs. S. N. Malone, W. A. Adams, Winchester 
Jenkins, John Rawle, Jr., Will Owen and D. S. Bisland. 

1899 — Jos. N. Carpenter, King; Miss Jeanne Minor, Queen. 
Courtiers: Misses Camille Carpenter, Rosa Gilleas, 
Carlotta French, Josie Chamberlain, Mary Chamberlain, 
Maud Lowenburg. Messrs John C. Jenkins, B. P. Ferri- 
day, Dr. L. H. Jeffries, Harry Renner, Leslie Partridge, 
Jas. M. Flood and S. N. Malone. 

1900 — L. P. Conner, King; Miss Agnes Carpenter, Queen. 
Courtiers: Miss Elizabeth Morris, Surget Shields, Sarah 
Campbell, Marshall Gaither, Tommie Reber, Phil. N. ¥^s- 
sig, Miss Ruth Arrighi, Will A. Adams, Miss Maud Lowen- 
burg, John Marks, Miss Anna Maher, Mr. Clement French. 

1001 — A. G. Campbell, King; Miss Carlotta Surget (now Mrs. 
D. L. McKittrick), Queen. Courtiers: Misses Retta Lil- 
lard, Ruth Arrighi, Irene Williams, Annie Rumble, Kath- 
erine Shiekls, Anna Green. Messrs. S. N. Malone, An- 
drews Patterson, Alex George, W. H. Lewis, A. Catrevas, 
Geo. K. Wensel and Hassie Jenkins.. 



PROUD OLD NATCHEZ" 53 



1902— Dr. J. C. French, King; Miss Retta Lillard, Queen. 
Courtiers : Misses Edna M. French, Gladys Wheeler, Irma 
Dutarte, Purdy Enders, Callie Driskell, Katherine Balfour, 
Edna Green. Messrs. Andrews Patterson, Dr. G. Stuart 
Handy, AV. Scott, A. H. Gardner, Robt. Gallegly, Don Ar- 
righi and S. N. Malone. 

1903— W. A. S. Wheeler, King; Miss Marion Buck, Queen. 
Courtiers: Misses Lisa Stratton, Gladys Wheeler, Cath- 
erine Stewart, Margaret Lanneau, Bee Boatner, Jeanu-^tte 
Dicks, Purdy Enders. Messrs. Sprague Jenkins, Edwin 
Henderson, — . — . Purcell, John Reber and S. N. Malone. 

1904— Mr. E. H. Ratcliff, King; Miss A. B. Conner, Queen. 
Courtiers : Miss Edna Green, Mr. Ed. Whitney, MiSS Mary 
Jenkins, Mr. John Reber, Miss Martha Campbell, Mr. John 
Boatner, Miss Eva Moritz, Dr. G. Stuavt Handy, Miss An- 
nie Chamberlain, Mr. Hassie Jenkins, IMiss Jeannette 
Dicks, Mr. Stanley Patterson, Miss Ruth Thompson and 
Court Jester S. N. Malone. 

1905— Judge Thos. Reber, King; Miss Edna Green, Queen. 
Courtiers: Misses Julia Lowenburg, Eliza Schwartz, 
Catherine Schuchardt, Annie Reber, Louise Jenkins, Anna 
Chamberlain, Emma Gene Wensel. Messrs. Harry Marks, 
Harold Benoist, A. V. Davis, Jr., Dr. L. A. Benson, I'rabue 
Lawrence, Robert Millette and Rowan Gaither. 

1906— Clarence E. Moritz, King; Miss Elizabeth "Watkins Mor- 
ris, Queen. Courtiers: Mr. John Reber, Miss Rebecca 
Searles, Mr. Harry Griffm, Miss Katherine Shields, Mr. 
Trabue Lawrence, Miss Agnes Morris, Mr. S. Sampson 
Levy, Miss Pearl Moritz, Mr. William Harper Miss Laura 
Green, Mr. Harold Benoist, Miss Cecil Rawle and Mr. John 
C. Jenkins, jestor; Miss Annie Reber. 

1907— Dr. R. D. Sessions, King ; Miss Margaret Stewart, Queen. 
Courtiers: Misses Kate Schwartz, Lady Lee Lawrence, 
Carlotta French, Fannie Rose Lamkin, Kitty Rhodes, Caro- 



54 "PROUD OLD NATCHEZ" 



line Scott, Pearl Mortiz. Messrs. Harold Benoist, Trabue 
Lawrence, Harry Marks, R. T. Lively, Thos. Green and 
Jas Giles. 

1908— Dr. McDonald Watkins, King; Miss Carrie RatclifT, 
Queen. Courtiers : Misses Carlotta French, Jane E. 
Handy, Ruth Thompson, Sammie Parker. Messrs Law- 
rence Eustice, E. J. Street, Thos. Giles and William Bow- 
man. 

1909 — S. N. Malone, King; Miss Laura Green, Queen. Cur- 
tiers : Misses Lacy Gaither, Mary Mounger, Emelie Wheel- 
er, Pearl Moritz, Carlotta French. Jane E. Handy. Messrs. 
Dunbar Merrill, L. A. Benoist, Jr., Jos. B. Kellogg, Jos. 
Dixon, 0. A. Gibson, Jr., and Hobson Alexander. 



PROUD OLD NATCHEZ" 55 



CHAPTER XIX. 



Cbronoloop. 

In the beginning was the Natchez Indian. "No tribe has left ao 
proud a memorial of their courage, their independent spirit, and their 
contempt for death in defense of their rights and liberties. 

"The City of Natchez is their monument, standing upon the field 
of their glory. In refinement and intelligence they were equal, if not 
superior to any other tribe North of Mexico. In courage and strata- 
gem, they were inferior to none. Their form was noble and com- 
manding; their stature was seldom under six feet, and their persons 
were straight and athletic. Their countenances indicated more intel- 
ligence than is commonly found in savages." (Monette.) 

Ponce de Leon, unfurled the Spanish flag in Florida 1531. 

De Soto starting from Florida 1539, marched through Ala- 
bama, Mississippi and Tennessee, reached Mississippi River at 
Chickasa Bluffs May 1541, died May 1542. 

1682 — La Salle descended the Mississippi River to the Gulf 
of Mexico, taking possession. 

"In the name of the Most High Majesty, invincible and 
victorious, Prince Louis, The Great, by the Grace of God, King 
of France and Navarre." 

Treaty of Paris, Feb. 10, 1763, France ceded to England, 
all of its possessions East of the Mississippi. 

Spain taking advantage of the war, v^^hich the American 
colonies was waging against England, attacked and captured 
the British forts, and before the end of the year 1779, her au- 
thority was supreme throughout the Natchez District, subse- 
quently in making peace with Spain and France, England found 
it necessary to submit to the Spanish conquest of West Flori- 
da, and to cede Florida to regain the Bahamas. 

The French had shown no aptitude for colonization, the 
colony was an expense and France ceded Louisiana to Spain in 
1762, to recompense for aid given France, and to prevent its 
falling into English hands. This treaty was kept a secret. 



56 "PROUD OLD NATCHEZ" 

After the seven years of war, Eiifjlarui reeeivcd a portion of 
Louisiana, west of the river, having been by secret treaty 
November 3, 1762 ceded to Spain. 

The French never ceased to regret the cecession of Louisi- 
ana, and Bonaparte at the time his influence was almost supreme 
made secret overtures for the retrocession of the colony, easily 
persuading Goday, the Spanish Minister, who was Master of 
the King, and paramour of the Queen, to comply with the re- 
quest, this agreement was kept secret, owing to the war with 
Great Britain, and her superiority on the Ocean. 

Mr. Livington had persistently urged the sale of Louisiana 
to the United States. Owing to fear of the British, the First 
Consul decided to accede to the American overtures, and sell 
the whole of Louisiana to the United States, and within a short 
time the whole business was done. 

Governor Claiborne was notified of his appointment with 
Wilkinson as Commissioners to take possession of New Orleans 
and Louisiana, 

December 20, 1803, the American troops marched into the 
city, and were greeted by a salute of nineteen guns. 

The United States claimed the district known as the West 
Florida parishes, but Spain had not delivered it. The Americans 
became dissatisfied with Spanish rule, they organized and 
marched on Baton Rouge, captured the Fort and organized a 
temporary Government, issued a Declaration of Independence, 
assuming the name of the Commonwealth of West Florida. The 
President by proclamation claimed the whole district as part 
and parcel of Louisiana purchased from the French. Governor 
Claiborne was directed to take possession, and accompanied 
from Natchez by the Natchez Rifles, and Adams County Dra- 
goons, presented himself at Baton Rouge, hoi.sted the American 
flag, and the Government of West Florida quietly expired. 

1781 — Don Carlos de Grand Pre entered upon his duties as 
Civil and ]\lilitary Commandant of the Post and District of 



*' PROUD OLD NATCHEZ" 57 

Natchez. He was followed by other commandants who exercis- 
ed almost plenary power. 

They appointed Alcades or Justice. They performed the 
duties of Governor, Legislature, Mayor, Court of Appeals, Mag- 
istrate, Chief of Police, Town Marshal, etc. They granted per- 
mission to go to New Orleans and sometimes refused it to in- 
dividuals who had debts. Divorces were also within their 
jurisdiction. Mrs. Rachael Robards came down from Nashville 
in 1790 and obtained a Spanish divorce preliminary to her mar- 
riage to Andrew Jackson. Capt. Stephen Minor Oayoso's post 
maior acted as commandant imtil the evacuaiion. 

The treaty with Spain of 1795, recognized the 8 1st, paral- 
lel of North Latitude as the Southern Boundary of the United 
States, which was about thirty miles south of Natchez. 

1718 — First Plantation settled at Natchez, fifteen laborers op- 
ened a farm on St. Catherine's Creek, two years after Fort 
Rosalie had been built. 

1721 — Cotton grown in a garden at Natchez. 

1729 — Fort Rosalie massacre, by nine o'clock on the morning 
of the 28th of November, the whole of the male population 
of the Colony were sleeping the sleep of death. Chopart, 
the French Commandant, fell among the first victims, 
and as the Chief's disdained to stain their hands with his 
despised blood, he was dispatched by the hand of a com- 
mon Indian. 

While ardent spirits remained, the Indians, with hor- 
rid yells, spent their orgies in dancing over the mangled 
bodies of their enemies. 

1746 — Cotton was one of the products shipped on the river. 

1783 — Indigo was successfully cultivated in the Natchez Dis- 
trict, in 1724, but not later than 1783, it was an undesira- 
ble plant, and the making of Indigo was an offensive and 
unwholesome occupation, myraids of flies were generated 
by it, which overspread the country. The drainage from 



58 "PROUD OLD NATCHEZ" 

the refuse into adjacent streams killed the fish, 150 pounds 
produced to the acre, sold for $1.50 to $2.00 a pound. 

Tobacco was the first product of the Natchez District. 
Barrels were often hauled to Natchez by shafts attached 
directly to the heads, the barrel forming both wheel and 
load. 

1796 — David Greenleaf constructed cotton gins near Natchez. 

1797 — American Flag first raised in Natchez. It was the Capi- 
tal of Territory until 1803. 

1798 — Andrew Ellicott, on June 21st, determined the latitude 
and longitude of Natchez, as follws: Longitude 90 de- 
grees, 29 minutes, 16 seconds West of Greenwich ; Latitude 
North 31 degrees, 33 minutes, 48 seconds. 

1799 — Wm. Dunbar built first Cotton Press for Square Bales, 
near Natchez. 

1801 — During Sargent's administration, the jail was located 
at the corner of Franklin and Union streets. George Wil- 
ley, in his recollections says: "I witnessed a flogging that 
I shall never forget of the noted Mason and his son, who 
afterwards, with his band, became the terror of travelers 
from the Ohio river to New Orleans. They received the 
punishment of thirty-nine lashes and were exposed in the 
pillory. Every blow of the cow-hide tore the flesh from 
their quivering limbs. After they were released he and 
his son shaved their heads, and stripping themselves nak- 
ed, mounted their horses and yelling like Indians, rode 
through and out of town. 

1802 — Jefferson College incorporated. 

The Natchez Gazette issued first paper published in the 
State. 

1803— City of Natchez incorporated, April 9th. It was the Cap- 
ital of the Territory until 1803, when it was changed to 
Washington, where it remained until 1818. 
Jefferson College received a donation from Congress of 
23,040 acres of public land, for its endownment. 



"PROUD OLD NATCHEZ" 59 

1805 — The Natchez Hospital was incorporated. 

1807 — Aaron Burr captured at Cole's Creek. His boats were 

brought to Natchez. 
1809 — Bank of Mississippi chartered, which was the first bank 

chartered in the State. Capital stock $500,000. Stephen 

Minor was its first President. It's Bank Building is now 

occupied by Bank of Natchez. 

1811 — First Steamboat arrived from Pittsburg, named New Or- 
leans. This was the first river Steamboat ever built. 

1812— In the War of 1812-1815, a Company was formed at 
Natchez by men legally exempt from military duty, who 
offered their services to the Governor, which he accepted 
with hearty recognition of their patriotism. 

1815 — Natchez Rifles took part in Battle of New Orleans Jan- 
uary 8, 1815. 

Tennessee Militia, 2,700 strong, reached Natchez, marching 
over the Trace. 

December 18th British prisoners taken at New Orleans 
brought to Natchez. 

1817 — Mississippi admitted into the Union. 

1825 — Trinity Episcopal Church was built. 

1829 — First Presbyterian Church was built. Dr. Joseph Buck 
Stratton accepted a call to the pastorate of this Church, 
Dec. 31, 1843, and resigned the charge over which he had 
presided for over fifty years, April 14, 1894, with the title 
of "Pastor Emeritus." 

1833 — The Agricultural Bank completed ; was described as hav- 
ing the finest room South or West of Washington, and the 
finest building in the city. Alvarez Fisk was its first Presi- 
dent. This Bank and the Planters' Bank, were the first in 
the United States to suspend specie payment in 1837. 

1834— First Cotton Seed Mill in the world, built at Natchez, 
was a failure. 
- Sir William Dunbar erected a Cotton Mill at Natchez. 



60 "PROUD OLD NATCHEZ" 



1835 — The British East India Company sent an officer to Nat- 
chez to obtain the most approved machinery and seed, and 
employ a number of experts to go to India to teach them 
how to cultivate and handle cotton. 

Britton & Koontz Bank started. Notwithstanding the col- 
lapse of most of the Banks in the State during the panic of 
1837, this institution survived the vicissitudes, and has 
never failed to meet its obligations. 
Population of Natchez 3,731 wiiites. 

1836 — In 1836 was chartered the Mississippi Railroad & Bank- 
ing Company, at Natchez. Captial $4,000,000. 
In 1839 this Bank issued $1,500,000.00 bonds to build 24 
miles of Railroad and Depots. 

Also was chartered the Commercial Bank at Natchez. Cap- 
ital $3,000,000. All issued paper money in profusion. 
On news of the capture of the Alamo, $2,000 was soon sub- 
scribed at Natchez, and Capt. John A. Quitman with about 
40 men including Natchez Fencibles, went to Texas resolv- 
ed to drive Santa Anna out. 

1837 — First Railroad out of Natchez, owned 24 1-2 miles of 
track, brought first locomotive ever in the State, opened 
May, 1837 for business. John A. Quitman was President. 

1840 — Natchez Tornado. At 2 p. m., every building in the city 
was more or less injured. Many utterly demolished, every 
tree and fence prostrated. Natchez Under-the-Hill was 
swept nearly bare, every house, shop and building was de- 
stroyed. Three steamers had their upper works blown 
away, two of them capsized and sank and nearly all their 
crews and passengers perished. More than sixty fiatboats 
loaded with produce, disappeared with their crews. The 
Court House at Vidalia was wrecked, burying Judge Ker- 
ton in the ruins. Natchez was visited by a delegation from 
New Orleans, bringing a corps of surgeons and several 
thousand dollars of money, for the relief of the suffering. 
Killed in the city, 48 ; perished on the river, 269; wounded 
in the city, 74 ; in the river, 35. 



"PROUD OLD NATCHEZ" 61 

1841 — Roman Catholic Cathedral erected, dedicated 1842. In 
1788 a two-story Catholic Church was built on a spot on 
Commerce street, between Main and Franklin streets. A 
marble slab, center of Ntaehez, now marks the location. 
Adams County voted against repudiating the Union Bank 
bonds, amounting to $7,000,000. The State voted for re- 
pudiation by a majority of 2,286. 
1845 — Alvarez Fisk donated lots in Commerce street for school 
purposes. 

Institute Hall. This hall was presented to the City of Nat- 
chez for use of its Public Schools, by the Natchez Mechan- 
ical Association, Dec. 9, 1845. 
1848 — Sisters of Charity. A Colony of Sisters of Charity ar- 
rived in Natchez, and opened an Orphan Asylum ancJ 
School. 
1850— "First (Wall Street) Baptist Church" was erected. 
1862 — Bombardment of Natchez, by U. S. S. Essex. 
1863 — Ransom's brigade occupied Natchez in July. Civil Gov- 
ernment was suspended from Nov. 1863 to Aug. 9, 1865. 
1867 — The National Cemetery, embracing an area of 11.'07 

acres, was conveyed to the United States June 31, 1867, 
1877— Lee Oil Mill was built by Mr. J. N. Carpenter. The 
success of this undertaking inspired business confidence 
stimuated enterprise, giving impetus to investment by 
others. From this time the city made rapid advance. 
1872 — Methodism was introduced into Natchez in 1799 by Rev. 
Tobias Gibson, of South Carolina. During the history of 
the Church, several buildings were erected, the last of 
which, at the corner Jefferson and Union streets, was erect- 
ed in 1872. 

Natchez Cotton Mill built. Boiler explosion May 27, 1887. 
Killed five employes. 
1881 — Telephone line installed. 
1882 — Ice Factory manufactured first ice. 

Bluff City Railroad, with elevator and tracks, completed to 
river. 



62 "PROUD OLD NATCHEZ" 

Natchez & Jackson Railroad completed to Jackson, Miss.. 
March 6th. Gauge changed from 4'2-ineh to standard 
1889. 

1886 — Judge Thomas Reber built a street railroad from the 
Ferry Landing out ]\Iain and St. Catherine streets to the 
Forks-of-the-Road. lie in.st ailed the first Electric Plant 
ever in Natchez, to furnish light for a Casino, in which was 
presented a Kirmiss, in 1887, which is remembered as the 
most georgeous entertainment ever given in the city. A 
special train came from Jackson to accommodate distingu- 
ished visitors. Judge Reber owned and built the first rail- 
road in Concordia parish. La., from Vidalia to Lake Con- 
cordia. 

1885 — Bank of Natchez organized, was succeeded by the First 
National Bank in 1887, and by the First Natchez Bank, 
1895. 

1886 — Adams INIanufacturing Company built, a mill operated 
by Mr. J. N. Carpenter for Manufacturing Cotton Seed Oil. 

1889 — Water Works Company supplied city water, also Sewer- 
age System. 

1891 — The Hotel Natchez opened its doors September 1, 1891. 
Posterity should not be permitted to forget the names of 
Natchez citizens, who as a matter of civic pride, invested 
$151,000 in this fine edifice, evidencing confidence during 
the dark days of our business history in the future of the 
city. They were : R. F. Learned, J. N. Carpenter, Stephen 
Duncan, S. E. Rumble, T. V. Wensel, George W. Koontz, 
A. C. Britton, L. G. Aldrich. 

1894— The Catholic Church, for the colored race, on St. Cath- 
erine street dedicated July 1st. 

1895— The Natchez Oil Company erected a fine Oil I\Iill. J. N. 
Carpenter, President. 

1900— Natchez Lodge 553 B. P. 0. Elks acquired the property 
corner Pearl and Franklin, on which their home is located. 
Baker Grand Theatre was erected. 




THE NATCHEZ HOTEL 
Erected 1891. 



"PROUD OLD NATCHEZ" 63 

1901 — Natchez New Institute School rebuilt on Commei'ce 
street, on lot donated by Alvarez Fisk in 1845. 
Electric Railroad commenced running their cars. 

1902 — Bank of Commerce organized. 

1905 — Temple B'nai Israel built, dedicated March 24th, re 
placing Temple dedicated 1872, which was burned in 1904. 
Prentiss Club completed. 

1906 — Capt. James W. Lambert, one of the most useful and 
public-spirited citizens of Natchez, died at his home, De- 
cember 17th. He was proprietor of The Natchez DemO' 
crat, and was identified with every movement for the up- 
building of Natchez. 

1908 — Boll Weevil made its appearance in July, was very de- 
structive to the cotton crop. 

Streets Paved, Main and Franklin, and one block between 
these streets on Pearl, Commerce, Union and Rankin 
streets. 

Mississippi Central Railroad completed from Hattiesburg. 
Miss., to Natchez. 

On the 29th of February fire destroyed the bautiful homes 
of Mr. Monroe and Leon Scharff, B, S. McNeely, Chas. 
Evans, Mrs. Frazie Smith, two houses belonging to the 
Botto estate, two to Wm. McPheeters and Rose Hill Baptist 
Church (colored.) Loss over $75,000. 
On the 14th of March a terrific explosion of gas at The 
Natchez Drug Co., demolished the- rear portion of their 
building, carrying with it the store buildings of Mr. John 
• Carkeet and Mrs. Rose Heine. Fire consumed the front 
building. Eight persons lost their lives in the building. 
Mr. Carkeet was so badly wounded that he died shortly 
afterwards. Uriah Hopkins was killed on the sidewalk. 
Brands from this fire were carried to Commerce street, de- 
stroying two houses belonging to Mrs. Dr. Jeffries, one be- 
longing to Mrs. M. Haas. The entire loss $200,000. 



64 "PROUD OLD NATCHEZ 



1909 — The citizens of Natchez desiring to view at close range 
the modern battleship that had been named in honor of 
this State, placed the matter in the hands of Hon. Lemuel 
P. Conner, whose forcible representation that the voyage 
to this port could be accomplished with perfect safety, in- 
duced the Navy Department to comply with their request 
and the monster Battleship Mississippi arrived and an- 
chored in Natchez harbor, May 20, 1909, in command of 
Capt. John C. Fremont. 

On the Saturday following, Hon. John Sharp Williams, 
Senator-elect, in a glorious tribute to the Navy and the 
citizens of Natchez, in their behalf presented a magnifi- 
cent punch bowl, Capt. Fremont accepting for the ship. 
The bowl was eighteen inches in height, on a tray 30x24 
inches, with 18 crystal cups in silver holders. It was made 
of hammered copper and silver applique, and gold lined, 
bearing the following inscription: "U. S. S. Mississippi 
From the citizens of Natchez, Mississippi, as a token of 
their admiration and pride in the Navy of their country." 
The bowl cost over $1,000. 

At the sametime Capt. Allen Bowie restored a flag into 
the custody of Capt. Fremont, captured by a company of 
Confederate Cavalry, from the United States gunboat 
Petrel in Yazoo river on April 22, 1864. 
Judge Thomas Reber presented on behalf of the Ladies 
and children of Natchez, a beautiful Victrolia. with a large 
assortment of records. The Committee of Ladies who 
secured the money were Mrs. James G. Smith, Mrs. E. 
Samuels, Mrs. S. II. Lowenburg, Mrs. A. G. Campbell and 
Mrs. J. D. Barkdull. 

Mrs. C. M. Williamson of Jackson, I\Iiss., visited the ship 
and presented in the name of the Daughters of the Ameri- 
can Revolution, a Candelabrum, with best wishes and 
prayers for those who manned the noble .ship bearing the 
name of their beloved State. 



«31» 50"i ll.OilOiSM 

'HONOH JO lynoo 

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•j.^ 3XVi^ 




PROUD OLD NATCHEZ" 65 



xraft H)a^ at lRatcbe3, /iDiss., ©ctober 29, 1909. 
Hrrangement ot Boxes 



In the following column will be found the boxes on the right of the 
speaker's stand, with the maids and matrons of honor and male escorts. 

No. 14 and 15 Cabinet— Mrs. W. A. S. Wheeler, Mrs. A. G. Camp- 
bell, Mrs. W. B. Rhodes, Mrs. F. D. Brown, Mrs. E. F. Noel, Miss 
Lallie Lawrence, Miss Carlotta French, Miss Mary Mounger, Miss Laura 
Green, Mr. A. G. Campbell, Mr. Aaron Stanton, Mr. L. P. Conner, 
Judge Jeff Truly. 

The following members of Taft's Cabinet will occupy this box: 

Philander C. Knox, Secretary of State, J. M. Dickinson, Secretary 
of War, Frank H. Hitchcock, Postmaster General, Charles Nagel, Secre- 
tary of Commerce, Hon. Mr. Ballinger, Secretary of Interior. 

No. 13 — Speaker of the House Hon. J. W. Cannon, Mrs. John Lim- 
erick, Miss Fanny Rose Lamkin, Miss Doris Jacobs, Judge W. C. Mar- 
tin, Mr. Richard Reed. 

No. 12 Arkansas — Gov. George W. Donaghey, Mrs. J. S. Ullman, 
Miss Fay Laub, Miss Lacy Gaither, Mr. A. H. Geisenberger, Hon. W. 
H. Hale. 

No. 11 Illinois — Gov. C. S. Deneen, Mrs. W. C. Bowman, Miss Julia 
Lowenburg, Miss Ruth Thompson, Hon. C. R. Byrnes, Mr. E. K. Kins- 
man. 

No. 10 Kentucky— Gov. A. E. Willson, Mrs. Jas. Surget, Mrs. E. H. 
Jackson, Miss Elizabeth Morris, Dr. J. C. French, Hon. Gerard Brandon. 

No. 9 Louisiana — Gov. Sanders, Mrs. L. C. Gwin, Miss Mary Lee 
Schwartz, Miss Pearl Moritz, Mr. F. D. Brown, Mr. L. C. Gwin. 

No. 8 River Commission — Mrs. Morrell Feltus, Mrs. K. W. Grafton, 
Miss Mary DeMarco, Capt. E. B. Geddis, Maj. S. E. Rumble, Mr. C. B. 
Brownell. 

No. 7 Michigan — Gov. E. M. Warner, Mrs. L. H. Lamkin, Mrs. E. 
S. Gunn, Miss Emma Moses, Mr. Theo. Wensel, Mr. J. A. Guice. 

No. 6 Mississippi — Gov. E. F. Noel, Mrs. E. E. Brown, Mrs. Eugene 
Enochs, Miss Ehzabeth Martin, Mr. M. M. Ullman, Mr. W. C. Bowman. 

No. 5 Missouri — Gov. H. S. Hadley, Mrs. George Marshall, Miss 
Charlie Compton, Miss Jeanne Minor, Mr. J. G. Smith, Mr. R. L. Wood. 

No. 4 Iowa— Gov. B. F. Carroll, Mrs. F. L. Ballou, Miss Helen 
Byrnes, Miss Tillie Dunbar, Mr. S. N. Malone, Mr. O. 0. Ogden. 



66 "PROUD OLD NATCHEZ" 



No. 3 Wisconsin— Gov. J. O. Davidson, Mrs. W. R. Wade, Mrs. 
David McKittrick, Miss Dora Lemkowitz, Mr. Fred Postlethwaite, Mr. 
Albert Jacobs. 

No. 2 New Me-xico— Gov. George Curry, Mrs. Theo. Wensel, Mrs. 
John Chambliss, Miss Johanna Zuzak, Mr. W. P. Stewart, Mr. John 
Chambliss. 

No. 1 South Dakota — Gov. R. S. Vessey, Mrs. Emanuel Samuels, 
Miss Marguerite Fraser, Miss Anne West, Mr. R. L. Byrnes, Dr. R. C. 
French. 

The Press Committee has seats reserved in proximity to the speaker's 
stand. 

Press Committee— C. W. Miller, J. Lemkowitz, R. D. Everson, Mrs. 
C. W. Miller, Mrs. W. C. Martin, Mrs. Jas. K. Lambert. 

The boxes to the left of the speaker's stand appear as follows with 
the matrons and maids of honor and hosts for each: 

No. l(j and 17 Diplomatic — Mrs. J. D. Barkdull, Mrs. S. H. Lowen- 
burg, Mrs. J. G. Smith, Mrs. W. H. Hale, Miss Roane Fleming, Miss 
Aylette Conner, Miss Mary Barkdull, Miss Carolyn Stratton, Mr. W. A. 
S. Wheeler, Mr. J. D. Barkdull, Mr. E. Samuels, Mr. L. A. Benoist. 

The following Ministers from foreign countries will occupy this box: 

His Excellency Senor Don Francisco de la Barra, Ambassador of 
Mexico; His Excellency Senor Doctor Don Rodolfo Espinosa, Minister of 
Nicaragua; His Excellency Senor Doctor Luis Lazo A., Minister of Hon- 
duras; His Excellency Senor Doctor Luis Toledo Harrate, Minister of 
Guatamalia; His Excellency Senor Don C. C. Arosemena, Minister of 
Panama; His Excellency General Carlos Garcia Velez, Minister of Cuba; 
His Excellency Senor Don Joaquim Bernardo Calvo, Minister of Costa 
Rica; His Excellency Senor Don Federico Mejia, Minister of Salvador; 
Arnold Shanklin, Consul General of Mexico; John Barrett, head of the 
Bureau of American Republics. 

No. IH Vermont — Gov. G. H. Prouty, Mrs. George Schwartz, Mrs. 
Scott Pintard, Miss Cecil Rawle, Judge W. H. Shields, Mr. Jas. Metcalfe. 

No. 19 Maine-Gov. B. E. Fernald, Mrs. W. H. Aikman, Mrs. E. K. 
Kinsman, Miss Carrie Lee Chamberlain, Mr. Farrar Martin, Mr. Thos. 
Reed. 

No. 20 South Carolina— Gov. M. P. Ansel, Mrs. C. W. Willson, Miss 
Mary Byrne, Miss Bertrice Zurhellen, Mr. A. M. Feltus, Mr. Charles 
Stietenroth. 

No. 21 New Hampshire— Gov. H. B. Quimby, Mrs. Henry Carson, 
Miss Irma Weir, Miss Katie Foster, Capt. A. H. Foster, Mr. Harold Mayer. 

No. 22 Colorado-Gov. J. T. Shafroth, Mrs. A. V. Davis, Miss Elmyra 
Pardee, Miss Fanny Lowenburg, Dr. McLaurin, Mr. R. Viener. 



PROUD OLD NATCHEZ" 67 



No. 23 Kansas— Gov, W. R. Stubbs, Mrs. Simon Moses, Miss 
Catherine Rhodes, Miss Mary Jenkins, Judge H. C. Turley, Mr. Mose 
Beer. 

No. 24 Wyoming — Gov. B. B. Brooks, Mrs. B. C. Geisenberger, Miss 
Nellie Junkin, Miss Katie Eidt, Mr. C. W. Willson, Mr. T. J. Holmes. 

No. 25 Idaho— Gov. J. H. Brady, Mrs. Joe Friedler, Miss A. B. 
Chamberlain, Miss Laura Davis, Miss Roberta Grafton, Mr. Steve For- 
man, Mr. Julius Roos. 

No. 26 Washington— Gov. M. E. Hay, Mrs. T. N. Henderson, Mrs. 
C. E. Moritz, Miss Margaret Lanneau, Mr. Ed. Henderson, Mr. Jas. K. 
Lambert. 

No. 27 Nebraska— Gov. A. C. Shallenberger, Mrs. Frank Dennison, 
Miss Sallie Watson, Miss Pauline Merrill, Mr. R. E. Bost, Dr. Phil. 
Beekman. 

No. 28 Connecticut— Gov. F. B. Weeks, Mrs. R. D. Sessions, Miss 
Rosa Carkeet, Miss Alma Cassell, Dr. E. M. Ranck, Mr. Sam Geisen- 
berger. 

No. 29 Florida— Gov. A. W. Gilchrist, Mrs. Robert Keyer, Miss Anna 
Bell McDowell, Miss Treble Poole, Mr. Karl Lehmann, Mr. A. C. Berdon. 

No. 30 Navy — Mrs. Andrew Patterson, Mrs. Trabue Lawrence, Miss 
Emilie Wheeler, Miss Zilpah Berdon, Miss Janie Handy, Mr. Harry 
Marks, Mr. T. K. Green, Dr. G. S. Handy, Mr. Sidney Stratton. 



68 "PROUD OLD NATCHEZ" 



proovam for TIatt lDa\?. 



The President will occupy the platform with his party, consisting of 
Capt. Archibald W. Butt, U. S. A., A. D. C; Assistant Secretary 
Wendell W. Mischler; Mr. Charles C. Wagner, Stenographer; Dr. J. J. 
Richardson; Arthur Brooks, Messenger; Mr. James Sloan, Jr.; Mr. Joseph 
E. Murphy; Mr. Gervit Fort, Assistant to Vice-President of New York 
Central Railroad Co. ; Mr. John Hays Hammond; Mr. Robert T. Small, of 
the Associated Press; Mr. Robert H. Hazzard, of the United Press; Mr. 
E. A. Fowler, of New York Sun Press Association; Mr. Wm. Hester, of 
the Hearst News Service; Mr. Sherman P. Allen, of the New York 
Herald; Mr. Harry L. Dunlap, of the New York World. 

Five of the chairs to be occupied by the party were used by many 
distinguished personages in days gone by, viz: General Jackson, S. S. Pren- 
tiss and Governors of the State. They are over one hundred years old. 

Over the great decorated platform will fly the President's flag. 

The boxes that will be occupied by Governors of the State will have 
the flag of their commonwealth floating to the breeze. 

The Cabinet will occupy two boxes, Nos. 14 and 15, Speaker Cannon 
box No. 13, and Foreign Diplomats, with the flags of Mexico, Nicaragua, 
Honduras, Guatamalia, Panama, Cuba, Costa Rica and Salvador, flying 
above them, will occupy boxes Nos. 16 and 17. 

6:45 A. M.— Reveille, Natchez Band stationed on Parker Bluff. 

7 A. M.— Hon. W. G. Benbrook, Mayor of Natchez, and S. H. 
Lowenburg, President Natchez Chamber of Commerce, with committee 
will board the steamer Oleander and welcome the President, who with 
his party will enter automobiles. 

Committee to board steamer Erastus Wells and welcome members of 
the President's Cabinet, are from the automobile party with whom 
they ride, headed by Mr. A. G. Campbell, as chairman, and the gentle- 
men who occupy boxes 14 and 15. 

Committee to board steamer St. Paul and welcome the Governors are 
from the gentlemen who will occupy boxes in the Court of Honor with 
them, headed by Allison H. Foster. 

Committee to welcome Foreign Ministers are W. A. S. Wheeler, J. 
D. BarkduU, E. Samuels, L. A. Benoist, who occupy boxes 16 and 17 
with them. 

Committee to board steamer Quincy and receive Members of Congress 
are L. E. Davis, Shields Dunbar, George Chamberlain, W. H. Shields, 




Dr. Luis Herrarte 
minister from guatemalia 



Dr. Luis Laro Arriaga 
minister from honduras 



diplomats at 1Ratcbe5. 

The Entertainment Committee appointed by the Natchez Cham- 
ber of Commerce were officially informed that among the party that 
would accompany President Taft to Natchez, there were nine distingu- 
ished representatives of Foreign Governments, and it was determined 
to make them the object of special consideration. 

The citizens of Natchez, in bidding welcome to this body of Diplo- 
mats, do so with a desire that by a courteous greeting they will em- 
phasize the sentiment, common among all patriotic Americans, of a 
kindly feeling and desire for closer ties of peace and friendship with 
all the world, not for the purpose only of promoting commerce and 
trade, but also to encourage the growth of a better acquaintance be- 
tween the Nations, believing a reasonable treatment of International 
questions will bring peace and good will, in place of suspicion, isola- 
tion, irritation, strife and war. 

It is hoped these visitors may be impressed with the cordiality of 
their welcome, and may long cherish a pleasant recollection of the 
hospitality and civic pride of "Proud Old Natchez." 

Luis Toledo Herrarte was born in the Capital of the Republic of 
Gautemala, on March 28, 1871. At the age of 16, he obtamed a de- 
gree of Bachelor of Science and Letters, and was awarded a gold 
medal, given for the most proficient student in that institution. 

His diplomatic career began at Madrid, and he has rendered his 
Government valuable service since that time. He has published num- 
erous articles on Science and Education. He was accredited Envoy 
Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary, near the Government of 
the United States, in January, 1907. 

Minister Herrarte accepted an invitation and should be the guest 
in the Diplomatic Box, in the Court of Honor, Oct. 29, 1909. 

Minister Lazo Arriaga was formally received by the President, on 
October 21, 1907. He is a man of scholarly attainments and a physi- 
cian of note. He has rendered valuable service to his country and to 
the neighboring Republic of Guatemala. 



PROUD OLD NATCHEZ" 69 



W. H. Wilson, C. L. Tillman, Ed. Zurhellen, Chas. G. Miller, Jas. Mc- 
Clure, W. B. Dicks, Scott Pintard, J. W. Miller, Monroe Scharff, H. M. 
Alexander, Jonas Lehmann, Tom Junkin, H. F. Byrne, V. H. Sharpe, 
Leo Simon, W. G. Barrett, Alex George. 

Committee to receive Newspaper Correspondents: C. W. Miller, of 
Natchez Democrat, Julius Lemkowitz, Ray Everson, of Natchez News. 

Committee to meet steamer Alton with Mayor of St. Louis and dele- 
gates to Waterways Convention: J. Fogo Dixon, John S. RuoflF, T. N. 
Henderson, David Dix, R. E. L. Mayer, G. Butler Reber, George Staig. 
Albert Geisenberger, John Seiferth, S. Steppach, Chas. H. Snyder, D. 
W. Stampley, Sam Zerkowsky, Bernie Moritz, Harold Benoist, S. H. 
West, C. P. Shaw, Sam Goldsmith, James Reale, E. J. Brady. 

Committee to meet steamer Cape Girardeau and Delegates from 
East Louis: W. B. Abbott, L. T. Kennedy, David McKitrick, Robt. 
Stanton, John W. Dicks, Alex Postlethwaite, John A. Dicks, J. F. Duffy, 
Trabue Lawrence, John G. Gaines, W. E. Smythe, R. H. Waddell, Robt. 
Keyer, E. J. Hodge, J. A. Simon, Louis Benoist, Jr., B. B. Dreyfus, 
Ferd Beer, Jules Wexler, Garibaldi Salvo, Alex Dreyfus, Bruce Mon- 
teith, Dr. C. F. Boger. 

Order of Automobile Parade — Chief Ramsey and Mounted Police; 
Grand Marshal, Hon. P. W. Mulvihill; Aids, John Rawle, Jr., Dr. J. I. 
Grady, Jessie Bridge, James Giles. 

Mounted Escorts on either side of President's Automobile — Col. E. 
Bliss Baker, Maj. Joseph Stone. 

Second Mounted Escort— Audley B. Conner, W. P. Baker, A. W. 
Gibson, R. D. Smith, Roy Brown, Wilson Harralson. 

Military — 3d Infantry Mississippi National Guard— Company "C, " 
Capt. A. H. Patterson; Company "B," Capt. Wm. W. Harper. 

Committee in Charge of School Children— Prof. J. H. Owings, Ben 
Geisenberger, Bro. Charles, Prof. H. P. Todd. 

Reception Committee Grand Platform Court of Honor— Hon. John F. 
Jenkins, Hon. Israel Moses, Henry Gaither, A. C. Morgan, S. A. Conn, 
Lewis Martin, A. V. Davis, Geo. W. Koontz, Henry Frank. 

Honorary Reception Committee — Rt. Rev. Thos. Heslin, Bishop of 
Natchez, Rev. E. Steirling Gunn, Rev. Robt. Selby, Dr. S. G. Bottig- 
heimer, Dr. J. J. Chisolm, Rev. J. A. Held, Rev. H. P. Lewis, Father 
Hayden, Judge Claude Pintard, Judge M. H. Wilkinson, Judge J. S. 
Hicks, Hon. Dunbar Rowland, Hon. R. E. Conner, Hon. T. Otis Baker, 
Hon. John Dale, Mayor of Vidalia, S. McDowell, Postmaster, Gen'l W. 
T. Martin. 

His Honor Mayor W. G. Benbrook and Messrs. A. B. Learned, W. 
H. Pritchartt, E. A. Enochs, Chas. E. McClure, W. B. Marks, Simon 
Moses, Wm. Stietenroth, Robt. Gallegly, Members of the Board of 
Aldermen, will occupy seats on the stage. 



70 "PROUD OLD NATCHEZ 



Reception Committee at Gates— Judge M. W. Reily, Chairman, 
Albert James, Norman Chamberlain, C. T. Bauer, Allen Bowie, Duncan 
Postlethwaite, P. U. Benjamin, Frank Dennison. 

Ushers for Auditorium— Dr. R. T. Clark, O. A. Gibson, Wilson 
Rumble, Alex Posetletwaite, L. A. Didier, Monroe Scharff, Lamar 
Lambert, Eugene Enochs. 

There will be about thirty automobiles at disposal of guests. After 
the ride about the city they will return to Court of Honor. 

8 A. M.— Ceremonies at Grand Stand— Introduction of President by 
Hon. C. F. Engle; Address by the President. 



©roer ot automobile iparaOc. 



The President Wm. H. Taft, Capt. Archibald W. Butt, U. S. A. A. 

D. C, Special Officer, Mayor Wm. G. Benbrook, Mr. S. H. Lowenburg, 
President Natchez Chamber of Commerce. 

The Stampley Car— Special Officers, Mr. James Sloan, Jr., Mr. Joseph 

E. Murphy, Mr. Arthur Brooks. 

Shelby Marshall Car— Assistant Secretary Wendell W. Mischler, Dr. 
J. J. Richardson, A. V. Davis, -Sr. 

Blankenstein Car— Mr. Marshall Gaither, Mr. Gazzet Fort, Mr. Ro- 
bert T. Small, Mr. Robert H. Hazzard, Mr. E. A. Fowler. 

J. C. Stowers Car— Mr. Wm. Hester, Mr. Sherman P. Allen, Mr. 
Harry L. Dunlap, Mr. Stowers. 

The Campbell Car— Hon. Philander Knox, Secretary of State, Hon. 
J. M. Dickinson, Secretary of War, Mr. A. G. Campbell. 

W. D. Mounger Car— Hon. Frank H. Hitchcock, Postmaster General, 
Hon. Mr. Ballinger, Secretary of Interior. 

Ed. H. Ratcliff Car— Hon. Chas. Nagel, Secretary of Commerce, Mr. 
John Hays Hammond, Hon. E. H. Ratcliff. 

Fleming Car— Senor Dr. Louis Laz A., Minister of Honduras, Senor 
Dr. Luis Toledo Harrate, Minister of Guatamalia, and other diplomats, 
Mr. James Fleming. 

E. E. Brown Car— Hon. John W. Cannon, Speaker of the House of 
Representatives, Congressman W. A. Dickson of Mississippi, Hon. E. E. 
Brown. 

R. F. Learned Car— U. S. Senator Lee S. Overman, N. C, U. S. 
Senator Thos. Martin, Va., U. S. Senator S. B. Elkins, W. Va., Mr. R. 

F. Learned. 

Marshall Car (E)— Senator W. B. Heyburn, Idaho, Senator A. B. 
Cummings, Iowa. 



PROUD OLD NATCHEZ" 71 



Sanford Car — Senator Charlie Curtis, Kansas, Senator W. O. Brad- 
ley, Kentucky, Senator Wm. Warner, Missouri, Senator Reed Smoot, 
Utah, Mr. Frank Sanford. 

Jenkins Car — Senator Wm. Lorimer, Illinois, Senator C. S. Page, 
Vermont, Senator Isaac Stephenson, Wisconsin, Senator C. D. Clarke, 
Wyoming, Senator Jos. L. Bristow, Kansas, Mr. Hasie Jenkins. 

Clarence Moritz Car — U. S. Senator Jonathan Bourne, Minnesota, 
U. S. Senator M. N. Johnson, North Dakota, U. S. Senator M. B. Scott, 
W. Virginia, U. S. Senator Geo. T. Oliiver, Pennsylvania, Mr. Clarence 
Moritz. 

Junkin Car — Gov. G. W. Donaghey, Arkansas, Gov. Geo. Curry, 
New Mexico, Gov. J. 0. Davidson, Wisconsin, Gov. A. W. Gilchrist, 
Florida, Mr. Hugh Junkin. 

L. H. Lamkin Car — Gov. C. S. Deneen, Illinois, Gov. A. E. Willson, 
Kentucky, Gov. J. Y. Sanders, Louisiana, Dr. L. H. Lamkin. 

Watkins Car— Gov. M. E. Hay, Washington, Dr. McD. Watkins. 

Clarke Car— Gov. A. C. Shallenberger, Nebraska, Mr. E. M. Clarke. 

Stone & Wexler Car— Gov. R. S. Vessey, S. Dakota. 

J. J. Friedler Car— Gov. H. S. Hadley, Missouri, Gov. J. H. Brady, 
Idaho, Mr. J. J. Friedler. 

Spraggins Car — Gov. G. H. Prouty, Vermont, Gov. J. F. Shafroth, 
Colorado, Gov. F. B. Weeks, Connecticut. 

W. J. Kaiser Car — Gov. E. F. Noel, Mississippi, Gov. B. B. Brooks, 
Wyoming, Gov. W. R. Stubbs, Kansas, Mr. W. J. Kaiser. 

Andrew Learned Car— Gov. F. M. Warner, Michigan, Gov. B. F. 
Carroll, Iowa, Gov. M. P. Ansel, S. Carolina, Mr. A. B. Learned. 

Sessions Car — Gov. Bert M. Fernald, Maine, Dr. R. D. Sessions. 

Ullman Car — Gov. H. B. Quimby, New Hampshire, Dr. J. S. 
Ullman. 



"MINGO— OF THE MASSACHUSETTS— FAREWELL ! 

"Return to the wigwams of your fathers, where the great water 
rolls its billows and the Great Spirit thunders along the shore! Tell 
them that you have seen the great river, and that in every hamlet and 
town and city on its banks you have found men of the Massachusetts 
tribe wedded to the daughters of the land, prosperous and everywhere 
people true to the traditions of their Fathers! 

"Sachem! May sunlight light your path and peace go with you 
to your own hunting grounds !" 

Hon. Edward Everett of Massachusetts, was the honor guest at 
a dinner given by Mr. Samuel Davis at Natchez. Colonel Adam L. 
Bingaman delivered, in the musical and resonant language of the 
Indian Choctaw, the above toast. No one present understood it ex- 
cept Mr. Davis and Colonel Claiborne. A translation was found among 
papers left by Colonel Claiborne. I am indebted to Miss Jean Minor 
for a copy, and as she suggests, it is a fitting farewell to the readers 
of this little book and to the visitors from the far-away States, who 
accompany President W. H. Taft on his trip down the river to attend 
the Convention at New Orleans, called in the interest and promo- 
tion of improvement of the waterways of the country. 



LbFe '10 



